The Fed Invites Senedd Members and Senedd Candidates to visit Fed businesses

Vince Malone with Henry Tufnell MP in Tenby Pembrokeshire last summer

Ahead of the vital Welsh election in May, the Fed has invited Senedd candidates to visit businesses in Wales to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing small businesses. The situation in Wales is particularly volatile and hard to predict – with an expansion of the Senedd from 60 to 96 members and the use of new constituencies elected by Proportional Representation – but, whatever happens, the Fed wants to ensure our members are at the heart of what happens next.

The Fed’s manifesto for the Welsh Election was released last month and focused on the need for retail grants to be provided for small independent businesses, as well as action to control costs particularly business rates which are controlled by the Welsh Parliament, as well as a cost neutral Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for Recycling that worked for small shops.

Pembrokeshire retailer Vince Malone said: “The Fed recently had a very positive meeting with Jenny Rathbone in Cardiff and I have had a series of meetings with my local MP Henry Tufnell at my business and in Parliament in the past year. The Welsh District President Clive Birkby and I have written to representatives currently serving the Mid and West Wales region – as well as those in the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency – offering to meet at my business in Tenby to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing small shops in more depth.

“I would encourage other Fed members in Wales to participate as well and get in touch about inviting their candidates to visit in what looks to be an exciting and unpredictable political contest which will have a big impact on Welsh retail.”