PENARTH MP Stephen Doughty has praised Small Business Saturday after holding a stall encouraging residents to shop locally and support independent shops.

Mr Doughty, who held a stall promoting the initiative in Penarth town centre on the weekend, said that local traders had raised three main issues with him.

He said that they were concerned about business rates, were struggling with rising energy prices and had been badly affected by the gas works and parking in the area.

“Some of the smaller businesses in Penarth find themselves on the edge,” he said.

“A lot of them are finding it a struggle.”

He added: “The more we can drive people to local businesses the better.”

He added that he had spoken to local traders, chairman of Gwyrddio Penarth Greening Anthony Slaughter and shoppers about the problems facing local shops on the high street.

Councillor Lis Burnett, who also attended the stall with Penarth councillors Mark Wilson and Neil Thomas, said: “There are a number of businesses on the brink and if you don’t support them now they won’t be here next year.”

She added:“We are submitting a bid for Penarth to be a Business Improvement District.

“It’s something that would be really good for the area.”