Too often in the past the small business community has been overlooked by councils that prioritize voting ‘residents’ over businesses.

In fact many small businesses live in the community they serve, often employing local residents.

With council budgets drastically cut in recent years, the small business community’s importance has grown and is now seen as a major resource, employer and stakeholder in local town centres across London.

Part of this is because doing business locally is better value for money.

FSB research shows that for every £1 spent with a small or medium sized business, 63 pence was re-spent in the local area, compared to just 40p in every pound with a larger business.

A Federation of Small Businesses manifesto should have landed on the council leader’s desk in recent weeks focussing on six steps to small business success.

That means working constructively with small firms to address procurement opportunities, parking policy, crime, and education and skills, for example.

The more we can work together to create good quality small firms the better for everyone.

Steve Warwick, Greater London regional chairman, Federation of Small Businesses.