Fed Discusses Christmas Trading and 2026 Challenges with Mid-Cheshire MP

The Federation of Independent Retailer’s (The Fed’s) Amy Sohal and Pinny Singh met with Mid Cheshire Labour MP Andrew Cooper in Winsford on Friday 9^th January to discuss trading over the Christmas period and challenges looking ahead to the new year.

Amy and Pinny’s family has run the shop for more than two decades and she and her team are familiar figures in their community which serves local customers with a range of convenience products along with services and products including parcel, payment, hot drinks and food to go, amongst others.

Amy Sohal said: “It was great to speak with Andrew again and he listened closely to my comments about what was going well in the business as well as to the concerns I raised and he was interested to hear about my work as an official with the Fed.”

Andrew Cooper MP said: “I have visited the shop before but it was great to meet with Amy and Pinny again and to discuss the work she does as the local District President of the Federation of Independent Retailers and to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing small shops like hers around the UK.

“My constituency office is located in Winsford and I know how valuable the shop is as a service for local people. We were able to discuss how Christmas trading was this year and the challenges looking ahead to 2026.”

Amy who met Mr Cooper along with the Fed’s Political Engagement Coordinator, Doug Oliver, also praised the Government for its work on retail crime, following a recent meeting the Fed had with Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP – as well as the implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for Recycling which will commence next year.

However, Doug and Amy also raised various concerns including higher costs including elevated energy bills, higher taxes like National Insurance Contributions as well as the implementation of the recently passed Employment Rights Bill; they promised to share further information about these matters in the future.

If you would like to learn more about the Fed’s Political Engagement Work, please get in touch by email: douglas.oliver@nfrn.org.uk