SIONED WILLIAMS MS, Plaid Cymru Member of Senedd for South Wales West, has launched a survey for sole traders and small business owners.
The survey, which is available on Sioned Williams’ website, provides sole traders and small business owners an opportunity to detail what challenges they’re facing, what works and what doesn’t, and what support they’d like to see.
Small businesses make up over 95% of all businesses in Wales, and provide over 60% of all jobs in our communities.
Sioned Williams MS, Plaid Cymru Member of Senedd for South Wales West, said: “Small business don’t just offer the goods and services we all rely on, they’re often the businesses that sponsor our local sports teams, raise funds for local charities, and add to the character of where we live.
“When we talk about the need for our town centres to flourish, while many of the big so called ‘anchor’ stores are leaving our high streets, it’s our small, locally grown businesses that will keep them alive.
“Yet on high streets across towns in this region – from Bridgend to Neath to Swansea – there are empty buildings and shuttered shop fronts where thriving local businesses could, and should, be.
“Coupled with this, pubs, cafés and restaurants are all struggling with a cost-of-doing business crisis.
“While communities in the rest of the UK have support to own their local amenities and tackle property vacancies in our town centres – Wales has nothing of the sort.
“Plaid Cymru will support our high streets and local communities by introducing a community right to buy in Wales.
“Plaid Cymru has already published a detailed economic plan for Wales that outlines how a Plaid Cymru Welsh Government would be on the side of small businesses, by reforming business rates, and giving them the support they need to thrive.
“Establishing preferential business rates multipliers for small and independent high street retailers, including hospitality businesses, will help level the playing field as regards large chains and out of town stores.
“But in the meantime, I know just how tough it is for our small businesses. That’s why I’ve launched a survey, so that small businesses in my region can let me know what’s working and what needs to change.”
