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Dozens of Portsmouth shops nominated by local residents for national Best Small Shop Award 2020

By 4 December 2020No Comments

Dozens of shops across Portsmouth were nominated by city residents for this year’s national Best Small Shop Award 2020, after Stephen Morgan MP called on Portsmouth residents to share their suggestions for which shops should be nominated.

The city MP today visited some of the shops that were nominated as part of his Small Business Saturday efforts.

Earlier this year, the Member of Parliament called on his constituents to let him know their favourites and why so that they can be nominated for the national Best Small Shops Awards, with particular consideration given to shops that have gone above and beyond amid the public health pandemic.

The annual national Best Small Shops Competition is open to any small shop operating in the UK. Those shortlisted are eligible for five awards including the newly launched award for small shops response to Covid-19.

The criteria for which shops can be nominated are non-corporate business selling goods or services to the public for use or consumption rather than for resale, from a business rated premises in the UK.

The Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South, said:

“Our small businesses are the makers and doers of our city and play a critical part of our local economy. It is so important that we continue to recognise their pivotal role in our city and I hope this goes at least a small way in doing that.

“It’s been fantastic to hear from so many residents about the achievements of our local businesses and how they have gone above and beyond to serve our community through this incredibly challenging period.”

This weekend communities across the country will also be marking ‘Small Business Saturday’, as local Portsmouth residents are encouraged by the parliamentary representative to continue to help support Portsmouth’s small businesses on the road to recovery.

Mr Morgan, added:

“As we also mark Small Business Saturday this weekend, I also want to encourage Portsmouth residents, that when they do go out to shop, to consider shopping locally where they feel safe to do so.

“Our shops have been there for us throughout this pandemic and it is now only right that we support them where we can too.”

Stephen called on constituents back in July of this year in the hope to encourage locals to show their solidarity and support for local small businesses in Portsmouth. Today the MP visited 10 local traders across Southsea, Fratton, Milton and Eastney to pass on their certificates.