Ahead of Small Business Saturday (5th December), the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is urging people to support rural businesses in the run-up to Christmas by buying locally and celebrating the quality of produce and products available.
CLA South East represents farmers, landowners and rural businesses across Kent, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
The region boasts some of the best local produce in the country, from sparkling wines to high-quality meats and cheeses, as well as countless Christmas tree growers and farmers’ markets full of festive treats.
Regional Director Michael Valenzia said:
“This year has seen many rural hospitality and tourism businesses heavily impacted by Covid, and we would encourage the public to support their local businesses in our countryside as they contribute greatly to the economy.
“Buying locally, whether it is seasonal festive food and drink, gifts or decorations, helps to contribute to a vibrant rural economy. There is certainly a wide variety of suppliers stocking top quality local produce from meats and cheeses to fruit and vegetables.
“Many people will already be regular visitors to farm shops and farmers’ markets, recognising the high food and animal welfare standards of British produce. These businesses provide jobs, goods and services for local communities, attract tourism and provide a real boost to our economy.
“Small Business Saturday provides an important reminder to consumers in supporting small businesses in their communities, not just in the run up to Christmas, but throughout the year.”
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In its Rural Powerhouse initiative, the CLA estimates that if rural productivity per worker was raised to the national average, an additional £43 billion could be added to national income every year.
Mr Valenzia added:
“In the meantime, we can all play our part – and take some of the stress out of Christmas – by turning to local suppliers for your trees, turkeys and tinsel.”
For more information about the CLA and its work, visit www.cla.org.uk/your-area/south-east/regional-news.
What? Like the council support rural businesses, by granting planning permission to build over working farms.
Vote them out next time.
counsul aint no truck fer farms
neads to be gorne
get rid of em all
If they put their prices down, have you seen how much local produce costs, rip-off
I too would love to buy local produce but cannot afford to.
The only interest this council has in rural areas is to get their developer pals to build upon such, and gain more income from the addition council tax, payment from mainland councils to ours for taking in their ‘excess’ tenants, and perhaps gaining large thank you cards from very grateful developers and landowners for making them both very very rich by just merely ‘granting’ building permission.
THINK, then vote them OUT whilst we still have some beauty left and roads not fully congested.
They (government) are doing their best to destroy farming!! This is just another PR stunt as always!