Earlier in March, a group of Southampton small businesses met with Blair McDougall MP, Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation, at a roundtable meeting hosted in parliament by two of Southampton’s MPs.
The meeting was arranged by Satvir Kaur MP, Member of Parliament for Southampton Test, and Darren Paffey MP, Member of Parliament for Southampton Itchen, in response to conversations had with Southampton small businesses – a number of whom had expressed an interest in speaking directly to ministers about key issues within their sector.
Make it Magic, Mettricks Southampton, and Alaplas Coffee were amongst the businesses attending the high-level meeting, and other attendees included Councillor Alex Winning, Leader of Southampton City Council, and Stephen Mannion, Chief Executive of Go! Southampton.
The agenda included everything from tackling the challenges currently faced by the sector, opportunities to be exploited to ensure thriving highstreets, and issues specific to businesses in Southampton.
Satvir Kaur MP said:
“I was really pleased to arrange this meeting with the Small Business Minister, allowing Southampton businesses to speak directly to decision makers about their priorities. I’m particularly pleased that Make it Magic, the winners of my 2025 Small Business Champion competition, were able to attend.
As someone from a small business family, I understand the pressures faced, and want to do everything I can to make sure voices from the sector in Southampton are heard at the highest level. Whilst changes are being made by government – including measures to crack down on retail crime, ending the scourge of late invoice payments, and a committment to permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure – small businesses are the beating heart of our highstreets, and there is always more to do. I will always do what I can in my role to support them.”
Darren Paffey MP said:
“Following my series of Business Action Forums, I know that small businesses are struggling with the increase of the cost of living and the impact of high energy prices.
That’s why I am pleased to have been able to invite small businesses from my constituency to meet directly with the Small Business Minister, to share their concerns and to consider the ways in which the government can work with small businesses to support thriving high streets.”