Small Business Saturday 2018

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to celebrating and supporting the small businesses that make up the backbone of our local communities. To mark the event, I held my annual Small Business Awards, very kindly sponsored by Patricia J Arnold and Co, which saw Patricia and I visit some of this year's winning businesses. Ridley's Fish and Game in Acomb was named as overall champion, and it was great to be able to meet some of their team, as well as other small businesses around Tynedale and Ponteland, and to thank them for the brilliant work they do. Small Business Saturday was started to encourage everyone to support and celebrate their small local businesses, not just this Saturday, but every day of the year, and I am happy to do anything I can to support that ambition. 

I would like to encourage you to go out and support your local small businesses, not just this Saturday but all year round. Our local communities really wouldn't be the same without them!\

Combatting rural crime

Tomorrow (Friday 30th November), Northumbria Police will be at Hexham Mart for a Rural Crime Event. Joined by the National Farmers Union and NFU Mutual, the event will run from 8.30am-2pm. Those attending will receive information about rural crime operations, demonstrations of security devices, cybercrime awareness and measures aimed at preventing rural crime. It's a great opportunity to have your questions answered, so I would recommend you go along if you would like to speak to Northumbria Police about rural crime.

Bellingham Post Office gets ready for Christmas

Christmas is always an incredibly busy time of year for post offices, so I visited Bellingham Post Office to recognise the valuable role the branch will play in providing vital services to local customers during the festive season. It was fantastic to hear all about the wide range of Post Office services available for customers at the branch this Christmas. The Bellingham branch offers everyday banking services for customers of all the main UK banks, as well as the opportunity for shoppers to collect and return their online Christmas shopping. The Royal Mail's special Christmas stamps are also available at the Bellingham branch.

I really enjoyed meeting the Bellingham team and I wish them every success for the future and especially during this busy period.