Britain has often been described as a nation of shopkeepers, but that identity has recently come under siege – both from a fast-changing commercial world and from the government red tape which has heaped so much misery on those endeavouring to earn an honest crust. Across Surrey and South West London, high streets are slowly turning into ghost roads. Business after business is calling time, their hard-working proprietors – many of whom have devoted their lives to serving the community – forced to throw in the towel.
Now the time has come to hit back. It is not just the natural world that needs an ‘Extinction Rebellion’ – it is our beloved towns, villages and neighbourhood parades. From Cranleigh – historic Surrey's largest village – to Richmond, its most celebrated town, the rallying cry is going out to businesses large and small: join the campaign to save our shops, SOS@sheengate.co.uk.
Much of the blame for the present decline has been levelled at digital innovation, but it is not just e-commerce and the internet that is killing our community services and traditional retail outlets. It is also the ludicrous red tape emanating from the centres of power, applied by jobsworth officials who clog the wheels of commerce, imposing draconian financial penalties in the form of business rates on anyone who wants to have a go.
Well, we at Sheengate – Surrey and South West London’s largest publisher of local community-based lifestyle magazines and websites – are declaring war on the complacency at the heart of this malaise. And we’re asking you, our clients and readers, to become our allies in the battle.
We want to hear from businesses large and small about the problems they face – whether it be rates, rents or lack of support from central government or the local authorities. And, on the positive side, we are looking for the innovative ideas, the needle-in-the-haystack success stories, the potential solutions amid the gathering gloom. Whether you are a small independent or part of a high street chain, a motivated campaigner or a trade association fighting the good fight, we want to hear from you.
Our media platforms supply a wealth of ammunition: let’s all use them to restore our local business communities to health and vitality.
With your support, we aim to hold errant organisations and politically run bodies to account. And target number one is the draconian, out-of-touch and ill-conceived Valuation Office Agency, which should be helping – not hindering – our communities; promoting livelihoods, not “tolling the knell of parting day”.
Get in touch now!
Email: SOS@sheengate.co.uk
Essential Surrey Awards 2020
And the campaign doesn’t stop there. Our Essential Surrey Awards 2020 aims to focus even more attention on our wonderful local businesses as well as the many other fantastic aspects of Surrey life.
Now in its second year, these awards really do focus on everything that is great about our county and the local community.
So, if you are a local business, put yourself forward and get your customers to vote for you.
Enter Essential Surrey Awards 2020 by putting forward your nomination for your favourite local businesses.