Theresa Villiers, Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet, acted to support local businesses this weekend by taking part in Small Business Saturday and attending Barnet Christmas Fayre.
Theresa visited a number of small businesses over the course of the weekend including I-Opticians in Whetstone set up by Woodside Park resident, Trushie Gudka. Ms Gudka said “It’s really helpful when our politicians take time to visit and support small businesses. Small businesses are part of the local community
It’s all about the local community and how we can support each other.”
Theresa said “Barnet has some amazing small businesses, from coffee shops to jewellers to boutiques and many others. If you are out doing your Christmas shopping, or just getting a coffee and a cake, consider going to a small business and supporting the local economy.” Theresa has a long track record of supporting local businesses in Barnet. She campaigned for many years to save Barnet Market and, more recently, she is backing local traders who are opposing the demolition of Brake Shear House on the High Street, a move that would see the tenants evicted and forced to trade elsewhere.
On Sunday afternoon Theresa attended the opening of the Barnet Christmas Fayre in her constituency of Chipping Barnet, along with Mayor of Barnet, Mark Shooter. In her speech at the event, Theresa urged the crowds to carry out their Christmas shopping in small shops and businesses along the high street.
Visitors to the fayre were able to take part in a range of activities from live music at the Misty Moon pub to a show at the Bull Theatre. They could also sample foods from Barnet’s cafes, restaurants and stalls whilst watching a wide variety of performances, including the Barnet Youth Brass Band, Finchley Steel Band Orchestra and Rikud, an Isreali Folk Dance group from Enfield.
Theresa said: “There was a very cheerful mood at the Barnet Christmas Fayre, with a range of excellent stalls and lots of activities and events. I’d like to especially draw attention to the performances from the students at the Susi Earnshaw Theatre School. The day was a real success and a great showcase of for local businesses in Barnet, as well as talented young people from our local theatre school.”
Susi Earnshaw, Chair of Barnet Christmas Fayre, said “This annual event grows each year and is a pleasure to be a part of. It is wholesome and authentic and has grown from small beginnings to now incorporate many local groups, all working together to promote our high street, raise money for charities and have fun. It's great to have the Mayor arrive in a lovely vintage car and I appreciate the support we have from our MP Theresa Villiers, who always manages to find the time to join in.”