Maria Miller, MP for Basingstoke met Nicci-G’s Flower Studio owner Gregor Cuthbertson to hear about how he worked hard through the Covid pandemic with the help of Government grants and adapting his business model by using silk flowers when fresh flowers weren’t available.
Maria said, “Basingstoke is a great place to live, work and invest and it was good to visit another local business that has chosen to be based in Basingstoke because of our strong local economy.
“Nicci-G’s Flower Studio, based in Buckland Parade, is one of hundreds of small and medium sized businesses that are the backbone of Basingstoke’s local economy with over 90% of Basingstoke’s businesses employing 10 people or fewer. Basingstoke remains one of the top ten centres of employment in the southeast and more SMEs means we are less vulnerable to decisions taken by big overseas Corporates, giving our local economy and job market more stability.
“Local entrepreneur run businesses had an important role in getting us through the Covid Pandemic. Residents rallied together and supported the local businesses that are so often the glue that keeps communities together and it is important that we continue to support the local businesses and community establishments that bind the fabric of our town”.
Gregor added, “I enjoy having a business in Basingstoke, I feel part of the community and I even find people coming up to me for help and guidance, nothing to do with floristry, and I love that”.
Maria said, “Happy workers are more productive, and data shows that Basingstoke rates in the top 5% for happiness amongst local authorities in the UK”.
Basingstoke is the most productive place in Hampshire and workers get paid over £5,500 more per year than the UK average. With the highest job creation rates in the Southeast, Basingstoke is attracting as much tech investment as Prague or Strasburg and is recognised nationally as being a growth town.
