Joe joins Downing Street delegation

NIIRTA members Joe Quail of Quails Fine Foods from Banbridge and Laura Brown of Arcardia Deli from South Belfast were selected from millions of small businesses across the UK to be amongst the Small Business Saturday Top 100 invited to Downing Street.

NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts who was in Downing Street with Joe and Laura said: “I am absolutely delighted that two of our members made it into the Small Business Saturday Top 100 and were invited to Downing Street to meet the Chancellor.

“They represent the very best of Northern Ireland’s expanding and confident independent retail sector.

“Every citizen of Northern Ireland must play their part in Small Business Saturday by supporting their local shops, restaurants, hairdressers, bars and cafes.

“ Last year Small Business Saturday helped to bring an extra £10 million to local small businesses in Northern Ireland.”

Joe Quail said: “Being in Downing Street is all about showcasing the fantastic Northern Ireland local produce my company sells and highlight the huge contribution independent retailers make to the local economy.”

Laura Brown added: “As a small family run business it is a huge honour to be in Downing Street.

“We have some world class independent retailers in Northern Ireland and it was wonderful to represent them.

“The first Small Business Saturday last year was an exceptional example of collaboration and co-operation with small businesses teaming up in communities around the UK,” explains National Campaign Director Michelle Ovens.

““We always said we wanted this to be the start of something amazing; a regular event that shines a light on small businesses throughout the UK in a way which is hugely beneficial to both the local and the national economy.

“Small Business Saturday reinforces that message and demonstrates the level of diversity, innovation and talent that is active within our small business sector.”

Speaking about Small Business Saturday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, commented: “Small business owners deserve our support.

“They are the ones who take the risks to create new opportunities and new jobs, that show off the UK’s ingenuity and innovation.”