Support this petition to protect independent businesses

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/175433

The Liberal Democrats' Cllr Robin Ashby urged support for them at Newcastle City Council this week, getting support from the Leader of the Council for these points:

The Government's Budget and Finance Bill are widely regarded as a betrayal of small businesses, who could be forced to pay up to £600 more a year, despite an apparent pledge by the Chancellor about no firm losing small business rate relief.

The Tories are placing greater regulation, burdens and pressure onto some of the smallest companies and yet the Treasury does not seem to care that they will break the back of many businesses that make our High Streets in City centres and suburbs unique and special.

The make-up of the economy of Newcastle is not the same as that of leafy Surrey, and so the continuing transfer of the burden for essential services from central government to local people and businesses is intrinsically damaging to us.

Fine hardware, beer, meat, cakes, clothing and other goods and services can be found in independent shops around the city, and particularly in Gosforth. (We asked local people for their best shop on Gosforth High Street, and others for their best shop(s) on Brunton Park)