Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson has called for more support for small businesses after ITV News reported on their plight.
Three traders from the city were featured on Friday’s News at 10 as part of a week-long series of reports on the impact of the recession five years after the credit crunch struck.
The five-minute piece focused on a high street clothes store, closing its doors for the last time, fashion retailer Niro, in Cumbergate, which has seen the recession claim four other shops, a warehouse and a beauty salon, and cable manufacturer E and J Services, in Fengate, which was turning business away over fear of non-payment.
Mr Jackson called on Peterborough City Council to find a “proper strategy” to support small businesses.
He said: “Every city and town in the country does have chains and they are important and we have done well with chains, but I think we also need independent niche retailers which give colour and character to the city.”
He said, however, he felt it was a “mixed picture” in terms of business vitality in the city.
He said: “I think there are a lot of companies in the city who have very good order books, cash rich, but are still probably not that confident of the future, while there are other organisations that are struggling a bit, particularly independent retailers.”
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