My Penarth Times Column

Following the end of the firebreak lockdown here in Wales we are starting to see some very early positive signs that cases of coronavirus are beginning to fall. While restrictions have been lifted it is important to remember that coronavirus is still very much with us and we need to continue to follow the guidance so that we stop our NHS from being overwhelmed. We all need to think not only about what we can do – what the law allows us to do – but what we should do to stop the spread of the virus and keep our loved ones and our communities safe.
In the run up to Small Business Saturday on 6th December I will be visiting businesses in the constituency to talk to local business owners about them, their staff, what they enjoy about running their business and the challenges that they face. We know that these past few months have been incredibly challenging for small businesses across the country, including here in Penarth. That is why it is more important than ever to encourage people to shop local and support small businesses in their communities.
During the lockdown many businesses changed the way that they work to both continue to serve our communities and to ensure their staff and customers’ safety. Many businesses in Penarth, like Umpa Lumpa and Griffin Books have adopted or expanded deliveries, others have teamed up with neighbouring businesses to create an online presence like A.B Snell and Willmore’s, which means that we can continue to access their products and services, and importantly help to keep them going.
With the reopening of non-essential shops we should do all we can to support our local shops and high street. In Penarth, we are fortunate to have such a vibrant and varied high street and with Christmas fast approaching I would encourage all Penarth Times readers to consider buying their gifts from our local shops. With a fantastic range of products and services on offer there really is no need to go anywhere else!
It is that time of year again when USDAW, the union that represents show workers launches its Freedom From Fear campaign. The aim of the campaign is to highlight that it is not acceptable for shopworkers to face abuse, threats and violence whilst simply doing their job.
In 2019 USDAW carried out a survey to explore the levels of violence and abuse experienced by shopworkers. It showed that over two thirds of respondents had received verbal abuse and 41% had been threatened with violence. Sadly around 400 shop workers were assaulted every day in 2019. It is shocking that during the pandemic – when retail staff have gone over and above for us – threats and violence against shopworkers doubled. It is important that we get the message out there that ‘abuse is not part of the job’.
More information on the campaign, as well as a link to the survey can be found on my Facebook page, VaughanGething1. As always, if you have any questions or queries, then please do get in touch on 0300 200 7150 or at [email protected].