Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, visited local businesses in High Barnet and Hampden Square at the weekend to show her support for Small Business Saturday. This is a campaign which started in the US to support, inspire and promote small businesses.
After visiting the new pop up shop in The Spires Shopping Centre, ‘Billy and Betty’, Theresa was out in Hampden Square talking to local traders with friends, Cllr Lisa Rutter, Andreas Tambourides and Andreas Papaevripides.
Theresa said: “I enjoyed being out in Hampden Square, chatting with local businesses and giving them my support on Small Business Saturday. It was good to hear that the traders welcomed the introduction of 30 minutes free parking in Hampden Square.
"I also had the chance to visit the new pop up shop in High Barnet, Billy and Betty, where local entrepreneurs are getting together to try to revive the High Street. Supporting local businesses and high streets in my constituency is a high priority for me and I'd encourage everyone to think about shopping locally, on Small Business Saturday and all year round.”
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, supported his local shops on Saturday and has announced a package of measures designed to help small businesses.
Theresa also supported the Barnet Christmas Fayre on Sunday along with The Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Hugh and Susan Rayner, children from The Susi Earnshaw Theatre School and Father Christmas. The money raised from the Fayre will go to Emmaus Barnet which offers accommodation and work to people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion.