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PRESS RELEASE Local Spokesman Launches Campaign for Local Shops Ryan Stephenson, Local Conservative Spokesman for Garforth & Swillington, has this week launched a campaign to support small businesses in the area. The Support Our Small Shops campaign is to encourage residents to shop local and support their local businesses. On launching the scheme, Ryan Stephenson said: Local businesses are the driving force of our economy and small shops, such as those in Garforth, contribute enormously to our community. The campaign highlights the need to cut the excessive paperwork required of small businesses as well as the need for financial support through these difficult economic times. Support our Small Shops also draws attention to the need for key policies such as giving relief in business rates to small businesses, allowing businesses to postpone VAT payments, increasing their cash flow, and reducing payroll taxes encouraging employers to take on more staff. Mark Horn, a cobbler in Garforth, is backing the campaign. He said: Im delighted that Ryan has shown the initiative to start a campaign to help Garforth's hard working but under pressure shopkeepers. I hope the campaign will promote local shopping and bring more shoppers to Garforth Main Street. Ryan added: The sad fact is that these traditional shops will disappear if we dont use them. It really is use them or lose them. I hope this campaign will urge people to shop local in the run up to the festive period. More details of the campaign can be found at www.ryanstephenson.co.uk/garforthandswil lington