Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead visits Federation of Small Businesses members in Keith
MORAY MSP Richard Lochhead was joined by Mike Duncan, development manager at the Federation of Small Businesses, on a visit to several businesses in Keith.
Richard Lochhead has recently been made minister of Small Business, Innovation and Trade in the Scottish Government.
The businesses he visited in Keith were all Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) members.
J+E Kleaning Services, Square Roots, Keith Motorist DIY and Ugie House Hotel all spoke to the SNP MSP about 'key issues' affecting local firms in the current economic climate.
Mr Lochhead said: “I was delighted to visit some local businesses in Keith to listen to their thoughts on some of the key issues facing the business community at the moment.
"Things sounded very positive and is testament to the strong relationship between businesses and the local community.
“It was good to pick up on some of the common issues businesses are grappling with, such as card machine charges, that I can look to pursue in my new ministerial role.
“The Scottish Government is helping our businesses recover as much as it can but we can all play our part individually too, by visiting our local cafés, shops, bars, salons, restaurants and the many more businesses we are lucky to have in Moray.”
The Federation of Small Businesses offers members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise and support.
Mike Duncan added: “I was happy to arrange and host these business visits, and I’d like to thank Mr Lochhead for agreeing to take part.
"Business owners rarely have the time to visit political surgeries, so to get the opportunity to speak to their local MSP without leaving their premises was fantastic.
“There’s no shortage of independent retail, hospitality, and service-sector business in Keith, and it was great to hear FSB members discuss the highs and lows of running a small local business in the current economic climate.
“The FSB is always listening to what our members tell us. We are the collective voice of small business in Scotland. Yet we also recognise that, at the most local level, it’s really important to help our politicians listen to those individual voices, too.”
