Nearly two months ago I launched my first ever ‘Southampton Small Business Awards’ to celebrate the range of small businesses in Southampton Itchen that are loved by the local community on Small Business Saturday weekend. I am now pleased to announce the results of my small business awards. 

I received over 280 nominations for over 40 small businesses in Southampton Itchen over the period of receiving nominations. It was fantastic to see small businesses getting involved by putting nomination posters up and seeing the community sharing the nomination page across social media; encouraging other people to support their favourite businesses.

 The four winners of my first ‘Southampton Small Business Awards’: 

Riann Care 

The Bunker 

Miss Ellie’s Cafe 

Julie’s Dance Studio

These small businesses received significant amount of nominations and those who nominated them gave inspiring reasons and stories of how they go beyond the expected in what they do best, but also how they support their local communities in whatever way they can, unconditionally. Each one of these businesses were described as valuable community assets, which enriches the lives of those around them in Southampton Itchen. 

I will be visiting each of these businesses on Saturday, to thank them for all their work, award them with their certificate and give them a little promotion to support their local business. I will later invite them up to Parliament so they bring what they do best to Westminster and allow them to tell me how we can further support their local business. 

I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone who took the time to nominate local businesses in Southampton Itchen; I am so proud to be the MP of a constituency that has such a strong close-knit community which supports their local businesses, thank you.