Tom Gordon meets with local Harrogate family business
On the 7th of March, Tom Gordon visited Bettys & Taylors Group’s site in Hookstone, where he met with the Finance Director and Chair of the Owners’ Council.
Bettys & Taylors is a family-owned business based in Harrogate, with a remarkable 105-year history. It provides jobs for over 1,500 people and plays a vital role in the local economy.
During the meeting, discussions focused on the importance of family businesses and the need for government support to help them thrive. Across the UK, there are 4.8 million family-owned businesses, contributing significantly to the economy and providing countless jobs. As it was emphasised in the meeting with Tom, a stable and supportive policy environment is crucial for businesses like Bettys & Taylors to continue to thrive and transition through generations. Without this support, businesses could struggle to survive, threatening local employment and economic stability.
Tom is determined to ensure that family businesses receive the reassurance they need from the government – particularly regarding the retention of Business Property Relief (BPR). For businesses like Bettys & Taylors removing BPR could have a huge impact, potentially jeopardising their future. To ensure family-run businesses in his constituency of Harrogate and Knaresborough can continue thriving for years to come, Tom will urge the Labour government to commit to keeping this essential relief in place.
Commenting, Tom said:
‘Bettys & Taylors plays such an important role in our community, employing over a thousand people across Yorkshire and attracting visitors to Harrogate, boosting our local economy.
‘Family businesses play a crucial role in job creation and economic growth. The government must do all it can to support them rather than making things harder – especially after announcing they will be increasing employer National Insurance contributions from April.
‘I am committed to supporting local businesses such as Bettys & Taylors - a fantastic local business and employer, to ensure they continue to thrive for the future.’
ENDS