Llangollen is a town of many small businesses and independent retailers. On Small Business Saturday on 5th December, Simon Baynes, the Prospective Welsh Conservative Assembly Member for Clwyd South, visited three such businesses which adjoin each other on Castle Street in the centre of the town: Candy Cottage, Cottage Tea Rooms and Cottage Cards & Crafts.
Simon Baynes said:
“These three businesses cater for local residents and visitors alike. They are welcoming places to visit which showcase what is best about Llangollen. Candy Cottage sells homemade fudge and locally made ice cream. The Cottage Tea Rooms are busy all year round, open 7 days a week and operate as a bistro as well. Cottage Cards & Crafts makes a perfect place to shop local and stock up on Christmas presents as well as being vital to the tourist trade.
But we need to make sure that small businesses like these have the best conditions in which to operate. This is why the Welsh Conservatives are campaigning for a better support package for small businesses – cutting business rates, improving access to finance for small firms and incentivising small businesses to take on additional staff. If every small business was able to take on a single additional employee, unemployment in Wales could be wiped out overnight.