I don’t get into politics very often. I don’t understand a lot of it and most of what I see shown in the media is convoluted chest puffing of middle-aged white men.
Being a woman and a minority in Parliament, you have the ability to be the change. You have the power to stand up for our town and give it the voice it deserves. This is even more important when you are representing a town that is often beaten down.
However, on the 19th October 2021, you chose to vote No on Supporting Small Business.
Research conducted by E Factor states that 89% of businesses in North East Lincolnshire are SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises), so that is 89% of the business community that you represent, that you have let down. You were meant to be our voice; our opportunity and you chose to ignore us.
Victoria Street is dying, and the only people who can realistically revive it are those 89% of businesses that you refused to speak up for. Small businesses are the future of Grimsby (and Cleethorpes) and we refuse to be ignored any longer.
We are a strong community of fish mongers, crafters, makers, designers, accountants, photographers, artists, entertainers and so much more. We are battling against the negativity of our town’s history. All we ask is for someone in a position of power, to actually stand up for us and help us to be heard.
Business Rates are too high for small businesses. Rents are unrealistic. Information about grants and other types of funding are confusing or not very well publicised.
You just need to have attended E Factor’s Great Big Small Awards to appreciate the growing importance of small businesses in our area. But you wouldn’t know that, would you Lia? Because you don’t support it. You weren’t there standing behind us. You weren’t clapping for us.
If you won’t fight for us. We will. We stand together and we will make Grimsby Great again.