Last weekend, as part of Small Business Saturday, I visited some of the fantastic small and independent businesses that help make the South Cotswolds such a vibrant place to live, work and shop.

In Cirencester I met local entrepreneurs whose creativity and hard work keep our market towns full of life. Their contribution to our high streets is invaluable, especially at a time when many are facing real pressures.

I began at Rave Coffee, a much-loved local success story. Their café sits beside the on-site roastery, so the smell of freshly roasted beans fills the space as you arrive. Their signature blends, monthly guest roasts and homemade treats show how independent businesses bring real quality and character to our towns. Their commitment to sustainability is evident - and I can vouch for their excellent almond croissants too.

I also met the founder of AddSquirrel, which creates personalised cards and gifts that customers can enhance with a video, photo or voice message using a simple QR code. Jen King recently received the Innovation Award from the Cirencester Chamber of Commerce, a fitting recognition of the imagination and hard work behind her growing business. I’ve now sent my first ever AddSquirrel message – to my late mum’s best friend (hello, Jean!).

Across the South Cotswolds, festive events are now in full swing. Despite wretched weather, Tetbury’s Christmas lights switch-on drew a strong crowd and a real sense of community spirit. Malmesbury’s late-night shopping once again showcased the independent traders who give the town its distinctive charm, and Cricklade, Fairford and Lechlade are also supporting their high streets with seasonal events, while many churches are hosting Christmas tree festivals like the fabulous one I enjoyed in Ashton Keynes.

But celebration must be matched with action. That is why we Liberal Democrats are pressing for a better deal for small businesses. The current business rates system puts high street traders at a disadvantage compared with large online retailers. Replacing it with a fairer commercial landowner levy would give small shops more room to grow and compete.

We are also calling for targeted support for hospitality, including a 5 percent cut in VAT for pubs, cafés and restaurants to help them manage rising costs. A national Community High Street Fund would enable councils and traders to collaborate on regeneration, accessibility and the kind of local events that draw people back into our town centres.

This Christmas, and throughout the year ahead, I’d like to remind everybody that we need to use it or lose it – we need to shop locally and support the independent makers and traders who are the backbone of our local economy, and help make each and every town unique. As your MP, I will continue to champion them as I work for you in Parliament.

 
A few of the things I've done this week...

✅ Visited our hardworking posties at the Cirencester sorting office. I share their concerns over the future of the Royal Mail, now in new ownership and undergoing changes to the Universal Service Obligation. The Royal Mail started in 1516 under Henry VIII. Let’s hope that we don’t witness its demise as another failure of privatisation.

✅ Popped into Nationwide in Cirencester to commend them on keeping their branch open until at least 2030 at a time when most banks and building societies are shutting their branches. They offer a friendly face, and are clearly very proud of the invaluable service they provide to the Cirencester community and beyond.

✅ Got an update from Gloucestershire Police. While I see the rationale for the abolition of politically elected Police and Crime Commissioners, I’m concerned that it may lead to the loss of voice for our rural areas.

✅ Dropped in at the Churn Project Chat and Connect to talk with people enjoying board games, crafting, and spending time together. I’m honoured to be patron of the Churn – Sarah and her team do amazing work for the people of Cirencester and beyond.

✅ Caught up with teams from two thriving and innovative local businesses, ZeroAvia  (hydrogen-powered planes, based at Kemble Airport) and Wild Hydrogen. Who knew the South Cotswolds was such a hotbed of innovation!

✅ Became an officer of the APPG on Sustainable Flooding and Drought – flooding being on many of our minds at the moment as we head into winter.

✅ On cleaning up our rivers, caught up with Jyoti Banerjee and the work his North Star Transition team have been doing on the River Wye catchment, which has seen such horrible pollution from chicken farms. Also took part in a really interesting session on water company ownership, with Feargal Sharkey, Ash Smith of WASP, and MPs and peers who broadly support the de-privatisation of water companies as the ONLY way to clean up our waterways.

✅ Attended a panel in central London featuring Climate Minister Katie White in conversation with former NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who has been an inspiration for me as a female political leader who managed to retain her humanity, and who speaks about the need for kindness in public life.

✅ Posed questions to academics from the UK, US and Australia as part of our Environmental Audit Committee inquiry into PFAS, aka “forever chemicals”

Noticeboard:

✍🏻 Please have your say on the Cotswold District Council Local Plan! Just 3 weeks left.

🎄 If this video of Cirencester Advent doesn’t put you in the mood for Christmas, I don’t know what will! Kudos to Dan Stubbins for capturing the Cirencester festive spirit so brilliantly!

🎭 The Barn Theatre in Cirencester is offering free bus travel and a free ticket to a Christmas matinee at 2.30pm on:
   • Tuesday 16 December
   • Wednesday 17 December
   • Friday 19 December

This pilot is aimed mainly at residents aged sixty and over who struggle with transport or may be feeling isolated. We know how hard local bus services can be across the Cotswolds, especially for rural villages.

Places are limited to 30 tickets per route on a first come first serve basis.

Pick up areas:

Route 1 – Tuesday 16 December
Ashton Keynes, South Cerney, Siddington, Watermoor Road (Queens Street, Cirencester)

Route 2 – Wednesday 17 December
Bourton On The Water, Northleach, Chedworth, Calmsden, North Cerney, Stratton

Route 3 – Friday 19 December
Tetbury, Crudwell, Kemble, Ewen, Chesterton

To take part, people must contact Richard Jones at the Barn Theatre directly to join the scheme:

📞 07530 465695
📧 Richard.jones@barntheatre.org.uk

Flooding Resilience Petition
 
I know how deeply flooding has affected residents across the South Cotswolds and have been actively working on the ground to address the issue. Alongside this, I have been working behind the scenes with local authorities and agencies to drive forward action and hold those responsible to account, and making sure this remains a priority in Parliament.

Show your support for the campaign by signing our petition today…

Sign our petition!

Quote of the Week
"An entirely new system of thought is needed, a system based on attention to people, and not primarily attention to goods.”

-- E F Schumacher

Have a great week!! 

Roz Savage MP