FSB takes KTL campaign to Downing Street

Date: 10th July 2009

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has taken its Keep Trade Local Campaign (KTL) to the prime minister, handing over a petition consisting of 55,000 signatures.

It is hoped the petition will raise awareness of the campaign and lead the government to lend its support to affected small businesses across the UK.

The KTL campaign, which began last year, aims to put an end to the epidemic of small business closures currently gripping the country's rural communities.

John Wright, Federation of Small Businesses National Chairman, said: "Small businesses have been suffering from Post Office closures, late payers, planning delays, hidden business crime and a tenuous relationship with the banks."

"The onus is now on local government to ensure that our small firms and high streets thrive."

He added that the handing over of the petition did not signal the end of the campaign and that the FSB and its supporters would continue to support the struggling rural business sector.

More than 120 small businesses close every day, according to the FSB.