Marking Small Business Saturday - "shout outs" from Liberal Democrats' councillors for some of the many excellent local businesses in Newcastle.

To mark Small Business Saturday, Liberal Democrats have been out on Gosforth High Street - and have been highlighting some of the many great local businesses in the City (seen here are councillors representing 3 of the 4 wards covering Gosforth.)

Robin Ashby, who speaks for Newcastle LIberal Democrats on business matters, said "If we don't cherish our local businesses - be they in the centre of town, or in the district centres like Chillingham Road, Wansbeck Road or Brunton Park - they are at risk after the gruelling trading conditions of the pandemic, and the switch to online retailing. And once they've gone, they've gone.

"My colleagues and I have huge regard for them. In High Heaton for instance you'll find the Monsiur Crepe cafe. It's reported as excellent and deservedly popular locally - and like so many of the several thousand small businesses in the city, it employs local people and pays its taxes in this country. Congratulations to it on being a runner-up in the Council's Small Business of the Year awards.

"Thorpes on Gosforth High Street regularly tops the popularity stakes. It has a wide range of stock - but equally importantly, the added value of expertise which it shares with its customers.

"Personal services like hair are almost invariably local - but if there's a choice between a multinational who ship their cash out every night and their profits to offshore tax havens and local-run, we do the best for the city and the country by using the latter."