As part of the Cannock Chase MP’s campaign to support local town centre businesses, Amanda Milling MP has launched her annual local shop competition. The competition, which is now in its fifth year, looks to find the best independent shops, market stalls and café/restaurants in Cannock Chase.
After a tough year for the high-street which has seen some big household names close down and town centre shops charged by Cannock Chase Council for having A-boards, tables and chairs outside their businesses, the MP wants to celebrate all that is positive about our town centres and champion local independent businesses. The competition is now open and the Cannock Chase MP is urging the public to vote for their favourite independent shops and businesses, with several awards up for grabs.
Residents can vote for their favourite shops, market stalls and cafés/restaurants in each of Cannock, Hednesford and Rugeley until 26th November. There are eight categories and the businesses with the most votes in each will be crowned the winner. There is also an overall winner, for the business that has received the most votes in any category.
The winners will be announced on Small Business Saturday which takes place on 1st December 2018. Small Business Saturday UK is a not-for-profit campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages the UK to support small businesses.
Amanda said: "Our local town centres is a topic that is regularly raised by residents and I am keen to do everything I can to support our local independent businesses. This is why I am delighted to launch my annual competition which seeks to find our best local shops, market stalls and cafés/restaurants across each of Cannock, Hednesford and Rugeley. The competition is in its fifth year and is very popular, with category winners often being separated by just a few votes. I would therefore urge residents to vote to support their favourites.”
The winners in 2017 were:
Rugeley Café/restaurant – Made With Love Tea Rooms
Rugeley Shop – Lachmere
Rugeley Market – Meat to Please You
Cannock Café/restaurant – Caffe del Nino
Cannock Shop – Bathaholics
Cannock Market – The Rug Stall
Hednesford Café/restaurant – Bella’s Coffee House
Hednesford Shop – Jabu Hair Studio
Overall winner (most votes across any category) - Lachmere
Amanda Milling added: “Without our independent businesses our high streets would look very different. Small Business Saturday is the ideal time to celebrate all that is great about our high streets and show just how much we value our town centre traders.”
The competition is supported by the Best of Cannock and Small Business Saturday. Anyone wanting to vote for their favourite shop, market stall or café/restaurant can do so at www.bestchasebusiness.co.uk. Businesses can also download voting forms and posters to display to their customers.