Candidate for Brentford and Isleworth, Mary Macleod invited Rt Hon Matt Hancock, Minister for Business and Enterprise, to join her as part of his ‘Great Business Tour’ of 100 businesses in 100 days.
Mary and the Minister met with Octink, based on Commerce Road in Brentford, one of the UK’s leading producers of display graphics and signage. Will Tyler, CEO of Octink, highlighted the issues faced by small and medium-sized businesses hoping to expand.
Mary and the Minister also paid a visit to Bianca Márton Chocolates, a luxury chocolate company specialising in hand-made products. Bianca Márton, the owner and co-founder of the business and West London resident, has carved out a niche for herself as a vendor of exclusively dairy-free products. Bianca’s shop benefits from Discretionary Business Rate Relief, a scheme which Mary has long campaigned for as the Prime Minister’s Small Business Ambassador for London.
Mary also pressed Mr Hancock on the timescale for the recently announced review of business rates, saying that local businesses wanted action quickly.
Mary said:
“It was brilliant to meet with these four local businesses today and see each of them doing so well. Chiswick has become known as a destination where unique, independent businesses can thrive. Under this Government, over 9,000 new businesses have been started in Brentford and Isleworth. The Conservatives are committed to paving the way for even more entrepreneurs to experience success and this constituency is setting a great example.”
Mr Hancock said:
“Mary has done fantastic work supporting businesses in her constituency over the last five years, including serving as one of the Prime Minister’s Small Business Ambassadors. Her campaigning has helped deliver some of the most pro-business policies of any Government in recent history. I know she has also campaigned heavily for a full review of business rates, which the Chancellor and I are absolutely committed to.”
“I was impressed by every single one of the four businesses I visited, each offering very different products and services - Octink: a cutting edge producer of display graphics and signage. Bianca Marton – delicious handmade chocolates. TVT: an international TV production company and part of the West London Creative Industries Hub - and finally Sipsmith, London’s first copper still for nearly 200 years. I know Mary will continue to be a champion for business, working to deliver our long-term economic plan for Britain’s future.”