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MP appeals to Woking's businesses in trouble

10 February 2009

Following the confirmation on the 5th February that Marks and Spencer are going ahead with the plan to close the Woking store, local MP Humfrey Malins warned that this may not be the last major closure on Woking's streets and urged small business leaders to get in touch with him if they are having difficult accessing Government Support Schemes.

Said Humfrey "The issue with M&S was a financial one, the rents and costs were too high and no other alternatives could be found that were viable. It is a genuine worry that we are seeing a gradual domino effect amongst high street retailers.

I have had many smaller businesses in Woking get in touch with me recently and there have been occasions when I have been able to help them, for example with making contact with HM Revenue and Customs in order to arrange a delay in tax payments. Obviously with a large commercial company like M&S it is more difficult but and I must urge businesses in Woking to make contact with me if they are having difficulty accessing Government support schemes. I have already called for the Government to offer more support for small businesses, which need access to guaranteed loans through a widening of the current scheme. This is clearly a difficult time and if there is anything that I can do to represent Woking constituents then I must urge them to get in contact with me."