MAY TRADE NEWS Warehouse complex proposed for Peterborough Local authorities urged to help businesses improve recycling Business leaders lose faith in the Labour government Sole traders join forces on the Isle of Wight FPB calls for government to cancel fuel duty increase Consumers get better protection from rogue traders Health and beauty sector will grow despite economic slowdown Credit crunch hits wholesale and retail businesses' cash flows CBI reports manufacturers expect to increase prices Businesses attack new agency worker rules Credit crunch 'has not stopped owners selling their businesses' BRC stresses UK firms do not use exploitative suppliers OFT targets retailers who claim to be closing Carbon Trust urged to support small firms London business buck trend as sales increase Bank charges 'could harm small business Small businesses 'could be hurt by extended flexible working rules' BRC reports gloomy sales figures Businesses urged to embrace rail network Business pessimistic about economic future Fuel duty rises 'should be postponed to help businesses and consumers' Report calls for better government support of small businesses Businesses asked for bribes to win contracts Small businesses hit by staff absences Small businesses 'turn to older employees to plug skills gap' Businesses warned of continuing economic slowdown Tories pledge to support small suppliers and local businesses Continuity plans 'vital for small firms' Manufacturers force to pass rising costs on to customers Oxfordshire Retailers Flex Their Muscle FSB steps up campaign to protect local suppliers Small firms 'are turning to bridging loans to maintain cash flows' Government looks to help business by streamlining consumer laws Business disappointed by interest rate hold Shop prices 'only rising slowly' Postal competition 'has not helped small wholesalers' Small firms are turning to bridging loans to maintain cash flows South-west's roads 'need to be improved to help wholesalers' Retailers see April increase in shoppers Government urged to involve small firms in tax forum Good online retail practice satisfies customers Small retailers urged to embrace gift card schemes Commission inquiry not doing enough for small retailers Hornby buys model car maker Corgi Trade News Archive   April 08   March 08   February 08   January 08 Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory 9th May 2008 FSB steps up campaign to protect local suppliers The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has stepped up its campaign to encourage consumers and retailers to make use of local suppliers. Launched earlier this year, the FSB's Keep Trade Local campaign hopes to raise awareness about the need to safeguard small, independent suppliers. It explained that these businesses support local communities but have become increasingly threatened by policies which seem to favour "large, out-of-town supermarkets". To increase the profile of the campaign, the FSB has recruited social historian and broadcaster Adam Hart-Davis. John Wright, the national chairman of the FSB, explained; "We're very pleased that Adam Hart-Davis recognises the importance of small independent shops for the future of local economies and we hope his backing for our Keep Trade Local campaign will convince others as well. "Over half of business turnover from small retailers is returned to the local community. The same cannot be said of the supermarkets and the large retail multiples. "Our message is that shopping in local independent shops is good for the community, good for the environment and good for you." The Centre for Retail Research recent reported that many retailers expert there will be fewer shops on the high street in the coming years.   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.