Farron works in local shop as part of his backing for Independents' Day!
South Lakeland MP Tim Farron will be working in Style Trading in Windermere next week as part of his backing for Independents' Day. The South Lakes MP has teamed up with Windermere Chamber of Trade to boost the campaign.
Local residents are being encouraged on the 4th July to shop at local independent stores for the day in a bid to boost high street retailing.
As part of the day Tim will be working in Style Trading in Windermere from 12:30 on Monday 4 July.
The campaign is being organised by Skillsmart Retail and the National Skills Academy for Retail, which have teamed up with independent retailers all across Cumbria and trade associations from around the UK. The vast majority (92%) of retail businesses employ fewer than ten people.
Our local economy seems to be bucking the trend in terms of the economic slowdown. Recently released figured showed that in South Lakeland , the overall empty shop rate is 6.7 per cent, well below the national average - but there is still more we can do.
The day also celebrates the skills behind the shop front, highlighting the wide range of specialist skills retailers need to run a successful business. As increasing numbers of larger retailers invest in training their staff, the 2009 National Employer Skills Survey found that only 4% of small, independent retail businesses currently employ an apprentice.
Tim said: "I am delighted to be rolling up my sleeves and working in a local independent shop next week. I think that Independents' Day is a great idea and I hope that it will boost local businesses and support independent traders. It's down to independent traders that we are bucking the trend in South Lakeland, and they deserve our strong support."