Sir Oliver Dowden MP recently visited Mavis of Bushey following the announcement that the shop will close its High Street doors at the end of February.

During the visit, the owners informed Oliver that the removal of free parking at Kemp Place Car Park, alongside the introduction of a Controlled Parking Zone, has led to a drop in footfall that made it impossible to continue trading locally.

Kemp Place used to provide parking free of charge for the first hour, but the Labour-Liberal Democrat run council increased the price to £1.15 for the first hour.

In addition to local parking issues, the owners told Oliver that national policies are placing an unsustainable burden on small businesses, like Mavis. These include the increase in business rates and the increasing cost of National Insurance contributions.

Sir Oliver said: “It is deeply disappointing to be losing Mavis of Bushey from the High Street. 

Between the Council's parking charges and the Government's hikes to business rates and National Insurance, small businesses are being forced to close.

I will continue campaigning on this issue until we see a fairer outcome for Bushey.”

Please continue to buy from Mavis online: www.mavisofbushey.com