ARFON politicians are urging constituents to back small businesses and shop local.

MP for Arfon Hywel Williams and AM Siân Gwenllian have renewed calls to the Welsh Government to cut rates for small businesses.

Now they are asking constituents to do their shopping locally and are backing Small Business Saturday on December 1.

The annual campaign aims to raise the profile of small businesses and highlights the important role they play within communities.

The Plaid Cymru representatives joined business owners in Caernarfon, to urge the Welsh Labour Government to mirror the business rate relief scheme in England to help small businesses survive the "challenging economic climate."

Hywel Williams MP joined Lesley Wills who recently opened the Follow Your Bliss Café, on Bangor High Street, whilst Siân Gwenllian AM visited Deb Sagar, of Bonta Deli, in Caernarfon.

Mr Williams said: "Small Business Saturday is an important initiative that encourages people to shop locally at a time of year where consumerism is high.

"Small local businesses are more likely to employ locally and will have a better knowledge of what their customers want. You won’t get the same personal touch at the larger stores or online.

"We are combining support for Small Business Saturday with renewed efforts to persuade the Welsh Labour Government to cut business rates for small businesses in our constituency.’

‘The message I get from small businesses is one of frustration. Too much red tape and frequent inconsistencies in the determination of rates leading to increasing concerns about business profitability and viability.

"What small businesses in Bangor, Caernarfon, Bethesda, Llanberis and across Arfon need, is support from the local community and from government, who ultimately has power to improve the outlook for many of our small enterprises."

Siân Gwenllian AM said: "When money is spent in local independent stores, that money stays locally, contributing to the local economy and supporting jobs.

"Small businesses form the backbone of the local and national economy in Wales, providing employment opportunities and contributing to the regeneration of town centres, as we have seen recently with new, small enterprises opening up in Caernarfon town centre.

"There is a lot more the government can do to back local businesses, but we as shoppers can also do our bit to support our independent retailers in the lead-up to Christmas.

"I’d like to wish Bonta Deli and Follow Your Bliss Café and indeed all small businesses in my Arfon constituency a busy and prosperous Small Business Saturday and an equally successful festive period."

A petition calling for business rates cuts is at: https://www.cynulliad.cymru/en/gethome/e-petitions/Pages/petitiondetail.aspx?PetitionID=1387