On Friday (5th Dec), Crispin Blunt, MP for Reigate in Surrey, popped in to his local shop to visit leading independent retailers, Dean and Russell Holborn, to discuss some of the key issues that have recently been affecting their business. Whilst there, Mr Blunt took advantage of Holborn’s Christmas offerings to order his Christmas tree and turkey.
Dean and Russell had invited Mr Blunt to visit their Holborn’s store in Surrey to highlight the important role that local shops play in local communities during the run up to the general election in May 2015. The pair also discussed how Mr Blunt’s successful intervention in 2012 to prevent double yellow lines from being placed outside Holborn’s store had made it possible for Dean to put a large investment into fully refurbishing the store.
Mr Blunt said: “I am delighted to see the refit of a long-standing local convenience store. Holborn is a model example of a local family business fully engaged with the community. Long may they prosper”.
During the visit, Dean and Russell discussed the impact of business rates on the store, explained how they source local products and big brands, and shared their experience of community activity, particularly local firework displays that they run to raise money for schools and charities. The investment into Holborn’s store has made it a vital community asset, and the pair also run a second successful store in South Nutfield.
Dean also showed Mr Blunt how they have decorated the store with Christmas lights and are selling turkeys from a nearby specialist supplier and a selection of Christmas trees, adding that last year they sold around 200 of each to customers. Before leaving the store, Mr Blunt stopped to place his order with Dean for his own Christmas tree and turkey.
At the end of the day, Dean added: “It’s been fantastic to have Crispin here today to see what we have done. He has supported us in the past on issues like parking around the store, and we look forward to working with him in the future”.
ACS encourages all members to build a relationship with their local MP, for help doing this, please contact Julie Byers on 01252 533 008 or e-mail [email protected]
