Catherine Hill & Cheap Street in Frome have been named amongst Holly Tucker's best independent high streets in the UK #HollysHighStreets

As part of Holly & Co's Campaign Shop Independent, Holly Tucker MBE, founder of notonthehighstreet and Holly & Co, has named Catherine Hill and Cheap Street Frome amongst the best independent high streets in the UK, a shining example of what the UK can't afford to lose and what shopping small is all about.

Mayor of Frome, Councillor Philip Campagna said: "Frome is a treasure trove of fantastic independent retailers so I wholeheartedly support Shop Independent Day. It's wonderful to see the flags flying throughout Cheap Street and Catherine Hill, just highlighting the vast array of shops which stem from the boundless creativity and enterprising spirit we have throughout the town. I encourage everyone to get behind their local independent shops; with our support they can continue to flourish."

Dan Gallally, owner of Frome Hardware on Catherine Hill said: "We are really looking forward to flying the Campaign Shop Independent flags for small businesses along Catherine Hill and Cheap Street ahead of #ShopIndependentDay on Saturday 24th June. We're just one of the main shopping streets in this historic market town, so we'll be flying the flag for all of Frome's indies".

On a nationwide level, Holly is deeply concerned for our UK small businesses, consumers and the UK economy, as the new Holly & Co British Small Business survey reveals alarming insights.

In 2022, British small businesses brought in £2.4billion, with SMEs accounting for 61% of UK employment and 7% of UK business turnover, yet even during EXTREMELY challenging trading conditions, 92% of British small businesses surveyed by Holly & Co said that they "had not EVER been asked by their local Council or MP what they needed to thrive, or been consulted on local issues which impact their small business".

Holly Tucker MBE, founder of Holly & Co, said: "It is deeply concerning that almost a quarter (24.1%) of small businesses in our Holly & Co Small Business survey told us they are unsure if they will still be trading this Christmas. Moreso, it breaks my heart that 96.4% told us that a major challenge is that they are fighting a losing battle against social media algorithms (powered by the global big boys).

Holly & Co knows that Brits love and appreciate small businesses, they bring much needed colour, creativity, inspiration and innovation to communities right across the UK, which is why I'm absolutely determined that the launch of Holly & Co's Campaign Shop Independent shines a bright light on our amazing independents. We are calling on consumers to help their favourite small businesses 'beat the algorithm' by cheerleading for their favourites across their social channels using #CampaignShopIndependent, inspiring friends to shop small and support fantastic independents.

Times are undoubtedly tough, so it's more vital than ever that Campaign Shop Independent also encourages the great British public to truly realise the value of their spending power, and choose to spend their precious pounds supporting our amazing independent British businesses, especially on Shop Independent Day on Saturday 24 June 2023. Use them or lose them, before it's too late. Support #ShopIndependentDay"

Holly & Co, founded by Holly Tucker MBE, surveyed small business owners from across the UK to understand their challenges as well as their optimism about the future. The survey findings indicate a real ticking time bomb for both UK small businesses and potentially the UK economy:

• Almost a quarter (24.1%) of British small businesses are either unsure (18.4%) or will not be trading (5.4%) at Christmas 2023

• 92% of British small businesses have never been asked by local or central Government what they need to thrive

• 83% of British small business founders have found the last 12 months challenging (46%) or extremely challenging (37%)

• 62% of British small business owners are considering a secondary income to to supplement their income

• 63% believe UK consumers CARE about shopping from a small business, however only 30% believe UK consumers actively vote with their money to support small businesses

• The Top Five challenges faced by British small businesses:

• Customers are tightening their purse strings (97.5%)

• Marketing - i'm fighting a losing battle against social media algorithms (96.4%)

• All business costs have increased (95.8%)

• Competing with Amazon and other big retailers (73.9%)

• Brexit (62%)

Quotes from the Holly & Co survey respondents, illustrate the challenges being faced by UK Small Businesses in May 2023:

"The worst April and May trading in 15 years and that bad I'm considering closing. I can't cope with the stress."

"Customers, who would happily spend this time last year, are now not."

"Sales have been so hard, rent and bills have increased…we have had no help from the Government. I have to pay rates on my building too which are crippling. And yet they say don't increase prices, absorb them or it will get worse with inflation! We're stuck from both ends"

"My sales are down about 75-80%. My outgoings are increasing weekly. I'm also finding that as other people are financially struggling I get a lot more verbal abuse when at events about prices"

"I gave notice on my studio and am now in need of financial help".

Small businesses and supporters can follow @hollytucker #CampaignShopIndependent #ShopIndependentDay or see holly.co for the latest updates, find a Campaign Shop Independent high street near you, and find ways to show support for your favourite small