FSB: Keep trade local

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has launched a Keep Trade Local campaign, in an effort to prevent closure of small businesses.

Tomorrow sees the start of the FSB's annual conference in Hammersmith, where national chairman John Wright will condemn government plans to increase the duty on alcohol.

"The extra 4p on a pint of beer won't stop people binge drinking, but it might stop people going to the local pubs that support so many of our communities up and down the country," Mr Wright commented.

FSB delegates will also discuss ways of preventing small firms from going out of business.

According to federation statistics, 2,000 small shops are forced out of business every year by "unfair" competition from large supermarkets.

"That's why it is so important that we get our message across to as many people as possible that we need to keep trade local - we need to do more to support local economies and help them thrive, which in turn creates nicer places to live and work," Mr Wright added.