Chancellor Sajid Javid made a flying visit to Burnham-On-Sea on Wednesday (December 4th) to answer questions from local business owners as the General Election campaign continues.
Mr Javid met a dozen business representatives at Cafe Beans in Burnham High Street where he answered questions ranging from concerns about business rates, boosting footfall, the impact of e-commerce on the trade of local shops, improving local bus services and gaining access to he government’s Coastal Communities Fund.
Visiting with Conservative election candidate James Heappey, the Chancellor heard from local business owners about the impact of business rates and he pledged that more will be done to help them.
He also called in at Seafoods fishmongers in Burnham High Street and talked with shoppers, and also heard about Burnham Chamber of Trade’s work in helping the town centre and took a copy of the Burnham shoppers guide brochure.
Speaking to Burnham-On-Sea.com, Mr Javid said: “It has been excellent being in Burnham-On-Sea today. It has been great to be in the town to meet coastal business owners and listen to their concerns and see what a thriving community it is.”
In light of the nearby High Street gift shop John’s Shop announcing here that they would be shutting in January due to ‘high business rates and rents, Mr Javid said: “We will help small businesses by cutting business rates. We want to increase the trust that retailers have got on the high street. And as we have said in our manifesto we will cut business rates for small businesses and other venues such as local pubs and music venues and introduce the Towns Fund to help communities make improvements to their local area.”
Mr Heappey said he was ‘thrilled’ to have Mr Javid in the town and is feeling ‘positive’ about his campaign, adding: “It was really good to have the Chancellor in Burnham today. The aim of this visit with the Chamber of Trade was so that business owners got to see what choices the top decision makers are making to help them, it was highly important.”
“It was great to see Sajid talking to small business owners about how our party will help businesses and rural communities in my opinion he is the best man for the job.”
“Everyone we have spoken to on the doorsteps seems to be telling us that they want to leave the EU and get Brexit done. If elected my highest priority will be to help get Brexit done, nothing can be achieved unless we get Brexit done.”
