MP hails Southport small businesses bouncing back from pandemic

Southport’s MP Damien Moore has been visiting a number of local businesses in Southport today to celebrate Small Business Saturday.

Mr Moore, who enjoyed a background in retail management before becoming the Conservative MP for Southport in 2017, is now encouraging local people to shop local and eat local in the run-up to Christmas. 

He visited Ainsdale Village and called into Broughs Butchers, one of the most established businesses in Southport. The Ainsdale Shop has traded since 1974, set up by owner Tony Brough and his father Peter. 

From there Damien Moore headed into Birkdale Village, where he chatted with James Jones, owner of The Fitness Lab. The Fitness Lab is a personal training studio located in Birkdale Village which offers 1-1 and small group personal training.

Over the last few weeks Mr Moore has led a determined campaign calling for gyms to be allowed to be able to remain open during whichever Tier system is in place. He believes that gyms play a vital role in maintaining people’s physical and mental wellbeing, which are particularly important during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

No visit to Birkdale would have been complete without a visit to Lathams the bakers, a company which was founded in 1967 and is famous for its freshly baked breads, pies, cakes – and mince pies. Owner Chris Latham has used the same winning ‘Nanna Latham’s’ mincemeat recipe in his mince pies for the past 53 years now, giving them their reputation as among the best in Britain. 

Damien Moore said: “Small Business Saturday is a perfect opportunity for us all to recognise and celebrate the excellent and diverse range of small businesses which we have here in Southport. 

“They are what makes Southport unique and are going to be crucial to our recovery hopes as we look to build back from the impact of this Covid-19 pandemic. 

“December, in the run-up to Christmas, is a crucial time of year for our small businesses. I would encourage everyone to do all they can to shop local and eat local more than ever. 

“I enjoyed speaking with local businesses owners and staff in Southport today and I wish them all a very productive Christmas season.”