IT was great to stop by Ellis Bakery in Okehampton recently to catch up with owner Wendy.

My visits to local businesses, large and small, are vital because they allow me to hear first-hand about the opportunities and the immense challenges facing our local traders right here in Central Devon.

What I hear locally strongly reflects the national picture: the latest Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) survey reveals nearly one in three UK small firms now expect to shrink, be sold, or close in the next year which a truly unprecedented figure.

Ellis Bakery is a fantastic example of the independent spirit that defines our high streets.

It is a traditional, local, friendly bakery specialising in homemade sweet and savoury products, including bread, rolls, pasties, and quiches.

This wonderful café is well worth a visit when you are in Okehampton. The bakery plays a role beyond its own shop too, supplying locally baked goods to other community enterprises in our area, supporting them as a high-quality local supplier.

Wendy and I discussed the significant pressures currently facing small independent businesses, particularly the impact of recent National Insurance changes and wider cost pressures.

From April, employer National Insurance rates have risen, contributing to an extra £25 billion a year in payroll costs nationally and putting huge strain on smaller firms.

According to the FSB, confidence among entrepreneurs has slumped, with a net confidence score of -58, and almost half of businesses expect their revenues to fall over the “golden quarter” leading up to Christmas.

The key challenge I hear consistently is the effect of the increase in employer National Insurance contributions, a policy often referred to as the “Jobs Tax”.

For Wendy and countless other rural businesses in our constituency, every additional pound required for employment tax is a pound that cannot be spent on investing, raising pay, or hiring new staff.

Despite these challenges, I remain greatly impressed by the energy, ingenuity, and resilience shown by local entrepreneurs.

Central Devon is proving to be an exemplar for high-street revival, where businesses are succeeding by being rooted in community and offering high-quality experiences.

In Crediton, a café like Coco’s acts as a hub for local life, offering not just good food but conversation and connection.

Just along the road in Crediton, Neil Paterson at Union Road Moto Velo has successfully grown a bike shop into a café, a clothing brand, and a bed and breakfast, demonstrating true entrepreneurial spirit.

Whether it is a family-run pub like The Phoenix in Chudleigh, which combines quality and consistency, or a vital service provider like North Park Vets in North Tawton, our local enterprises are the backbone of our economy. I have had the pleasure of visiting all of them recently.

It is absolutely vital that we keep listening to and supporting our brilliant local traders, especially as we approach the Autumn Budget.

Westminster must always recognise the benefits of supporting local and national small businesses, which together drive jobs, innovation, and community wellbeing.

Sir Mel Stride

MP for Central Devon