Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicestershire, is to meet local businesspeople this Friday at a virtual roundtable event organised by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) . The discussion comes ahead of the ‘crucial’ festive trading period following recent disruption caused to businesses by the Coronavirus.
Alberto will be speaking to a number of local business leaders from across South Leicestershire in order to listen to their views relating to the ongoing pandemic and how they have adapted to the Coronavirus restrictions.
From 2nd December, all ‘non-essential’ businesses will be able to reopen, however with both Blaby and Harborough District Councils subject to Tier 3 restrictions, many hospitality businesses will need to stay closed unless offering takeaways or deliveries.
Alberto said, “Businesses in South Leicestershire, as well as across the country, have faced unprecedented challenges over these past few months. The Coronavirus has caused tremendous difficulties to so many; our wonderful small, independent businesses have often borne the brunt of these effects and therefore the next few weeks are crucial as we ahead toward Christmas and the New Year. The Government have taken huge steps to ensure businesses have all the support they need; and both of our brilliant District Councils in South Leicestershire, Blaby and Harborough, have been working round the clock to issue grant funding to those businesses who need it most”.
Mr Les Phillimore, Regional Chair of the FSB for the East Midlands, added, “"Small Businesses in recent months have endured a difficult time with the effects that Covid-19 has had on how businesses operate. We know that many local small businesses stepped forward to help everyone get through these challenging times but we also know that many businesses have been hit hard. This round table discussion with Alberto Costa MP will give FSB Members, business owners and the self-employed the opportunity to discuss their concerns, their vision of the future and what further support is needed directly with their MP and the Regional Chair of the FSB”
Alberto concluded, “It’s always a pleasure to hear from the businesses in my constituency, and so I really am looking forward to this roundtable discussion and of course, I will be listening intently to the feedback received on the Government’s support package and doing all I can to ensure the brilliant businesses of South Leicestershire have all the support they need to get through this most difficult of times”.
Alberto is pictured above visiting Dunton Bassett-based Oakberry Trees last year.
