THE FEDERATION of Small Businesses is the sponsor of the Small Business of the Year award at The Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Business Awards.

THE FEDERATION of Small Businesses is the sponsor of the Small Business of the Year award at The Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Business Awards.

“We always welcome anything that promotes small business and that helps to campaign for the cause, and the Business Awards certainly do that,” said Malcolm Lyons, chairman of the Huntingdonshire branch of the FSB.

“There are many opportunities for people to set up their own companies, and the FSB always supports enterprise. It will be small businesses who drive the recovery in this country.

“Everyone has good ideas, and they should not be discounted – they should be supported in setting up their own businesses. That’s what the FSB will help with.”

The scrapping of improvements to the A14 will have a detrimental effect on businesses in Huntingdonshire, said Mr Lyons.

“We need the improvements to go ahead, because they are fundamental to businesses and jobs in Huntingdonshire. It’s absolutely crucial that the road is upgraded.”

As well as encouraging the small businesses of today, the FSB believes that investment in training and education is essential to ensure the region’s entrepreneurs can succeed in the future.

“We fully support the Young Enterprise scheme, and we would like to see as many schools and colleges as possible offer the scheme. It’s important that our colleges help to bring through the entrepreneurs of tomorrow,” said Mr Lyons.

“Training is also key to make sure that the businesses of Huntingdonshire have the quality of staff to make them a success.”

Another of the FSB’s key concerns is helping to improve the sustainability of small businesses, in particular by boosting their green credentials. Despite the recycling and waste disposal facilities available to domestic homes, many small businesses are forced to bear high costs disposing of their waste responsibly, something which Mr Lyons is keen to improve for his members.

“Many of our member businesses are located in housing estates and rural areas, but they do not have the same access to recycling and waste collection facilities,” he said. “The provisions for small businesses are lamentable at present, but we are campaigning to change that and to continue fighting the corner for Huntingdonshire’s small businesses.”