MP Damien Moore has been visiting a number of local businesses in Southport today to celebrate Small Business Saturday

MP Damien Moore, has enjoyed a background in retail management before becoming the Conservative MP for Southport, in 2017, is now encouraging local people to shop local and eat local in the run up to Christmas. He visited Ainsdale Village and called into Broughs Butchers, 1 of the most established businesses in Southport. The Ainsdale Shop has traded since 1974, set up by owner Tony Brough and his father Peter. From there Damien Moore headed into Birkdale Village, where he chatted with James Jones, owner of The Fitness Lab. The Fitness Lab is a personal training studio located in Birkdale Village, which offers 1-1 and small group personal training. Over the last few weeks Mr Moore has led a determined campaign calling for gyms to be allowed to be able to remain open during whichever Tier system is in place. He believes that gyms play a vital role in maintaining people's physical and mental wellbeing, which are particularly important during the Covid19 Pandemic.

No visit to Birkdale would have been complete without a visit to Lathams the bakers, a company which was founded in 1967 and is famous for its freshly baked breads, pies, cakes; and mince pies. Owner Chris Latham has used the same winning:- 'Nanna Latham's' mincemeat recipe in his mince pies for the past 53 years now, giving them their reputation as among the best in Britain.

Damien Moore said:- "Small Business Saturday is a perfect opportunity for us all to recognise and celebrate the excellent and diverse range of small businesses which we have here in Southport. They are what makes Southport unique and are going to be crucial to our recovery hopes as we look to build back from the impact of this Covid19 Pandemic. December, in the run -up to Christmas, is a crucial time of year for our small businesses. I would encourage everyone to do all they can to shop local and eat local more than ever. I enjoyed speaking with local businesses owners and staff in Southport today and I wish them all a very productive Christmas season."

European opportunities for Hospitality and Catering students

STUDENTS studying Hospitality and Catering at Hugh Baird College's L20 Hotel School will be given the opportunity of a lifetime next year and beyond, thanks to the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA) Adopt a School Trust. With funding from the European Union's Erasmus+ Programme, RACA will be giving 30 learners from the L20 Hotel School the chance to live abroad and take part in a 3 week work experience placement in either Spain, France or Italy. This unique opportunity will broaden the learners' culinary training and ensure they are well equipped for their future career, either in the UK or aboard. RACA are fully funding 150 learners from 5 Colleges across the UK via the project, which starts next year and is entitled:- 'EX.C.E.L.LEN.C.E' (EXpertise in Culinary sEctor upLifted through pLacEmeNts aCross Europe).

Martin Hedley, Interim Assistant Director, Business Engagement, at Hugh Baird College, said:- "This is a truly unique experience we are offering our students. They will have the chance to live abroad, be engrossed in a different culture and learn about their cuisine directly from the source. At the L20 Hotel School, we strive to raise the aspirations of our chefs and front of house learners, so they one day reach the pinnacle of the hospitality industry. This experience will be an unbeatable addition to our learners' skill set. I would like to thank everyone at the RACA and their Adopt a School Trust for the incredible opportunity they have given to our students."

To find out more about Hugh Baird College's L20 Hotel School, visit:- HughBaird.AC.UK/Hospitality, call:- 01513534444 or email:- Enquiries@HughBaird.AC.UK.