The Labour Party Annual Conference 2023
SME4Labour fringe: How Can the On-demand Sector Boost Local High Streets?
🗓 Date: Sunday, 8 October 2023
⏳ Time: 12:30
📍Location: SME4Labour POD (Meeting Room 22), ACC Liverpool, Kings Dock Street, Liverpool, England, L3 4FP
SME4Labour fringe: How Can the On-demand Sector Boost Local High Streets? with Joe Carberry, VP Communications and Policy at Deliveroo; Julie Minns, Labour PPC for Carlisle and Becky Gittins, Labour PPC for Clwyd East. This panel discussion was chaired by Abdul Hai, Vice Chair of SME4Labour.
The session highlighted that Labour was the party of business, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, or SMEs. A difference between large businesses such as Deliveroo in comparison to local business owners was made, with the latter relying on a local community to attend places such as local restaurants. Furthermore, sales made at local restaurants go directly to local business owners whereas sales at large businesses’ do not assist local community businesses.
The session emphasised that during the pandemic, many small businesses were forced to close as they could not pay things such as rent or have the financial power of big businesses. It was estimated that businesses on the high streets were able to increase their sales by four per cent due to the assistance they received from firms like Deliveroo. Though it sounds minimal, it is proof that revenue streams can increase for high-street businesses.
Having strong local high streets with local restaurants and independent groceries was mentioned as a core part of having a strong underground economy. Brand convenience for consumers were additionally discussed, with an example given that if two brands offered the same product but one was more convenient than the other, consumers were more likely to choose that brand to buy a product from.
Extra support for start-ups was discussed in the session, with the current Conservative government offering no extra investment in sustaining them and thus having a detrimental for local community and high street businesses.
