Council's commitment to business reaps another award

Warwickshire County Council’s commitment to supporting and promoting local business has been recognised with an award from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

At the FSB’s annual award event, attended by local MPs, council leaders and key stakeholders from across Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire, the County Council won the Small Business Friendly Keep Trade Local Campaign award.

It is the third successive year that the council has gained recognition in the FSB’s Local Authority Awards, having won the Best All Round Small Business Friendliness accolade in the previous two years.

This year the recognition was for the council’s sustained work to support small businesses and local high streets. The FSB judges were particularly impressed by the council’s innovative and sustained support for Small Business Saturday.

Ian O’Donnell MBE, FSB Warwickshire and Coventry chairman said: “We selected Warwickshire County Council as the winner of FSB Keep Trade Local programme award as they highlighted just how a targeted, effective and locally delivered initiative can offer real value in promoting local businesses, particularly in the retail sector that we know is suffering.

“The council embraced the Small Business Saturday campaign and supported their local business-base over a long period to maximise the profile of the small business community via social media, events and marketing.”

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “Warwickshire County Council is committed to stimulating economic growth and this award recognises the diverse ways in which we continue to support the small businesses which are integral to strengthening our economy.

“To win awards in three successive years is testament to the council’s sustained support for the local business community.”

Cllr Philip Johnson, Chair of Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee added: “Warwickshire has a team of dedicated officers committed to creating growth and job opportunities within the county and I thank them for all their innovation and hard work.”

The council is already working behind the scenes on the Small Business Saturday Campaign for this year, to find out more about the national campaign visit https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com Information about the local campaign will be available in the coming weeks on www.warwickshire.gov.uk/keepitlocal