Merton's Businesses Get Round The Table

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Local business plans in focus

Key business figures from Merton are set to join council officials in a roundtable debate on local business plans.

Merton Council leader Stephen Alambritis, hopes as many industry-led organisations, including Merton Chamber of Commerce, the Confederation of British Industry and the Federation of Small Businesses, will attend the meeting to represent the views of the wider business community.

It takes place at the Civic Centre in Morden at 6pm on February 14.

Merton is a thriving borough with 5,500 local businesses, the vast majority of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). There are also a number of large companies with a base in Merton, including Rymans, Heineken, Lidl, Robert Dyas and Capsticks, the law firm.

Councillor Stephen Alambritis (left), who previously headed up public affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "While we have frozen Council Tax for the last two years, it has not been within my power to influence business rate levels, as these are set by Central Government. We are, however, continuing to use other ways to help businesses through the Merton Business Plan and Economic Development strategy.

"I believe partnership working is one of the key ways forward for Merton. This will not only promote our local business network, but also help the very businesses that need support to grow and prosper in our borough."

Businesses interested in attending the meeting can email: business.rates@merton.gov.uk.

February 5, 2013