Go Local Dumbarton Road owner Nathalie Fullerton has had her “hard work and leadership on behalf of independent retailers” recognised in an Early Day Motion (EDM) by Patricia Ferguson, Labour MP for Glasgow West.
Ferguson visited the Glasgow store to present Nathalie with a framed version of the EDM and congratulate her on her on her recent election as the Fed’s new National Deputy Vice President. The EDM acknowledged that Nathalie’s election would ensure that the voices of Scottish retailers would be represented and central to The Fed’s work, as well as noting her role in helping to drive change for women across the retail sector.
Ferguson’s EDM was also published on the parliamentary website and was endorsed by Democratic Unionist politician, Jim Shannon MP, who visited a Fed business in his Northern Ireland constituency earlier this year and has backed the Fed’s work to control rising energy bills.
During the meeting at Ms Fullerton’s business, they discussed the employment, services and friendly face the small independent retail business provides. They also discussed opportunities for small shops in the future, including the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) and the return point Nathalie has already installed in her business, ahead of the scheme’s launch in October 2027.
Nathalie also spoke about her experience as a member of the advisory board of Police Scotland’s Retail Crime Taskforce and the Fed’s call for more robust support from Police when it comes to theft as well as the need for greater resourcing for trading standards.
The discussion also touched on the challenge caused by high commercial and government costs and Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s promise to back High Street businesses including small retailers.
Ferguson said: “I would like to congratulate Nathalie again for all her advocacy for retailers. I look forward to working further with the Fed and her in the future.”
Nathalie said: “It was a very positive and useful discussion and the Fed looks forward to working more closely with Patricia in Westminster whilst continuing our work in the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood as well.”
