Small Business and Coventry

Small businesses help create diverse high streets that we enjoy shopping in.

Locally-owned businesses mean profits doing good within the local economy, rather than being whisked away into shareholders' pockets. We need politicians to put vibrant local enterprise firmly ahead of predatory multinationals. As such, the Green Party does not support planning permission for any more out-of-town shopping developments.

Small businesses find it difficult to get timely access to investment at affordable interest rates. The Green Party supports the creation of "community banks" to supply funds for local activities. Small business cash flow would be improved by legislation that required invoices to be paid within 30 days.

The Green Party wants all new large business developments providing affordable premises for small enterprises, amounting to at least 50% of the total trading space.

We will work to increase the number of businesses that serve the local market and use local materials, offer repair services, or specialise in alternative energy production and energy conservation.

Green councillors will work to encourage more social enterprises – companies whose social or environmental purpose is central to what they do (e.g. Jamie Oliver's restaurant Fifteen, Cafedirect, or The Big Issue).

We will work to support self-employment and business start-ups by under-represented groups. One local agency that does this is the Women’s Business Development Agency, which promotes, supports and develops female-run businesses.