Today is #SmallBusinessSaturday, a day to celebrate our local economy and encourage each of us to ‘shop local’ and support small, independent businesses in our communities.
I was pleased to meet with Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, to discuss the latest data and how we can better recognise and grow the important role hospitality, leisure and tourism play in the economy and our communities.
Hospitality is at the heart of our seaside economy here in Worthing and Arun. Almost 200 hospitality venues in Worthing West, the vast majority being small businesses, employ over 3,000 local people and contribute almost £80,000,00 annually to our economy.
From our bustling town centre to the more idyllic villages high streets and greens, venues like the local pub or coffee shop act as critical pillars of our communities and help bring people together. Supporting our local cafes, pubs and restaurants means supporting our local economy.
Nationally, hospitality contributes £93 billion to the UK economy and is the third largest employer in the country, providing 3.5 million people with jobs. Hospitality is a driver in our economic growth locally.
