LOCAL MPS have thrown their weight behind the Stourbridge News' Love Local Business campaign with a rallying cry to get the "Black Country engine fired-up again"!

We launched the campaign last week to support local businesses as they emerge from the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown.

Many local businesses, including shops, have now reopened but others such as hairdressers and gyms are still prevented from opening their doors.

Even those that have remained open throughout lockdown have seen a significant loss in income.

Suzanne Webb, MP for Stourbridge, said: "Small businesses are the back bone of our local economy in Stourbridge. They helped to lead us out of the 2008 financial crash, and they will be the driving force behind the post COVID-19 economic recovery. That is why small business is placed firmly at the centre of my economic recovery plan for Stourbridge.

“This initiative to support and publicise local businesses in the Stourbridge News will be a huge help as we all get used to the new normal. Our local small businesses and sole traders need our support more than ever, so the more businesses that the News can promote, the better. Thank you to everyone at the Stourbridge News team for forming a key part of our local economic recovery.

“I would encourage everyone to visit our town centres and local small businesses to give them the boost that they need as they begin to reopen in the coming weeks."

And Mike Wood, MP for Dudley South, said: "I really couldn’t be more pleased to back the Stourbridge News’ campaign to ‘Love Local Business’.

"I have long called on people to support local businesses here in Dudley and more broadly across the Black Country – but this is now more important than ever, because without a recovery of our local economy, there can be no wider recovery.

"I very much hope this campaign will stir the support which our local businesses need, and I will look forward to working with the Stourbridge News and local businesses in any way I can.

"Let’s support our businesses and get the Black Country engine fired-up again!”

As part of the Newsquest publishing group, the Stourbridge News reaches a huge percentage of the local population across our well-established regional brands including print publications, record online audiences and social media channels.

Stourbridge News editor Stephanie Preece said: "This is a crucial time for local businesses as they try to recover from the impact of the

lockdown which, for many, has seen them without any income for more than two months.

"It is therefore fantastic to have the support of our local MPs as we launch this campaign to try and support out great local, independent businesses.

“In the coming months we will be promoting these businesses in our newspaper, on our website and our social media channels,to help spread the message that they are open and highlight why they are so valuable to this community.

“I urge all of our readers to show that they love local business by supporting them.”

Any business which wants to be featured in the News Group campaign, call 01905742372 or email dale.godliman@localiq.co.uk.