Stuart Anderson MP was delighted to chair his second roundtable discussion event with local businesses on 2nd October 2025. The event focused on support for the retail and hospitality sector in South Shropshire.
The event was hosted by Anthony Cannan, the owner of two businesses in Ludlow, Buck & Bear Products and Jup Jup. In June 2025, Anthony was recognised as the Young Business Person of the Year at the Shropshire Chamber Business Awards.
This prestigious award acknowledges Anthony's exceptional entrepreneurial spirit and contributions to the local business community in South Shropshire.
The Shropshire Chamber Business Awards is a highly esteemed event that celebrates the county's top businesses and individuals. The awards ceremony, which marked its 25th anniversary this year, drew over 700 attendees.
Stuart's initial roundtable discussion event with Shropshire Chamber of Commerce took place on 29th May 2025. It focused on key challenges facing local businesses, including public transport, local jobs, and affordable housing.
This time, the event focused on support for the hospitality sector in South Shropshire. This follows Stuart's long-term campaign to secure a better deal for the area's pubs, restaurants, and cafes.
The hospitality sector is largely made up of SMEs and supports 3.5 million jobs, while contributing £93 billion to the UK economy. This includes 166 local pubs and 4 breweries in South Shropshire, supporting 2,040 jobs and adding £63 million to the economy.
Trade body UKHospitality has warned that April's hike in employer's National Insurance contributions has cost the sector £1 billion and resulted in 89,000 job losses. That accounts for more than half of all job losses since the announcement was made.
Now, the British Beer and Pubs Association (BBPA) has warned that more than 200 pubs could close in the West Midlands next year unless the government changes tack on business rates reform.
Following the event, Stuart has written to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves in support of UKHospitality's campaign to stop hospitality businesses being taxed out of existence and to reverse the damage of the crippling tax hikes.
Stuart Anderson MP said:“As Member of Parliament for South Shropshire, I am committed to listening to what local businesses need and lobbying for the support that will unleash rural prosperity. I have hugely benefitted from working with Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, which does so much to champion local industry. So, I was delighted to host this hospitality sector roundtable event with local employers, including Anthony Cannan. April's hike in employer's National Insurance contributions has cost the sector £1 billion and resulted in 89,000 job losses. I have written to the Chancellor in support of this sector, which supports 2,040 jobs in South Shropshire. These vital insights enable me to better champion the aspirations of local businesses and campaign for the opportunities that will enable them to thrive.”
