MP for the Cities of London & Westminster, Nickie Aiken, championed independent businesses in the Two Cities in the House of Commons chamber with Small Business Minister, Paul Scully MP.
Nickie highlighted how fortunate the Two Cities is to have so many independent shops, ready to sell everything from artisan food to emerging fashion brands.
The question comes after Nickie visited independent shops in Marylebone to celebrate Independents' Day UK, a weekend to celebrate the UK's independent shops. Nickie visited Paul Rothe & Son Deli, Penton's Hardware shop, and Sandfords Flower Stall, Daunt Books and French Sole.
In her question to the Minister, Nickie said,
"Independent businesses are the beating heart of our high streets. And we are fortunate, in my own constituency of the cities of London and Westminster, that it's brimming with independent shops, ready to sell everything from artisan food to emerging fashion brands.
Last weekend, we marked Independent Shop Day and I visited Marylebone, where I was delighted to meet Paul Rothe & Son Deli, Penton's Hardware shop, and Sandford's Flower Stall. Does my Honourable friend agree with me that we must do everything in our power to support independent businesses this summer and encourage people back to the city centres, like Central London and every other city centre in the United Kingdom, to take advantage of these brilliant, unique shops?"
The Minister, Paul Scully replied,
"Thank you, My Honourable Friend, and she's undoubtedly a champion for small business, independent businesses in her constituency, but also the big ones that everybody knows around the world, not just around the country. And she's absolutely right that if people come into the centre of London, which has been remarkably quiet and has been slow to recover, then they will see the benefits of these independent shops, as well as being able to enjoy everything that the most fantastic global city, that she represents, has to offer."
