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ROSIE COOPER MP VISITS TWO CENTS PIZZA AS PART OF SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

Immediate release: Thursday 3 December

West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper is supporting Small Business Saturday this week and took part in a virtual visit to Ormskirk’s Two Cents Pizza.

Due to the pandemic and local restrictions, MP Rosie arranged a Zoom visit with business partners Nicola Jackson-Jones and Matt Andrews to hear about the challenges they have faced and overcome in keeping their Burscough St. business going through the pandemic and lockdown restrictions.

Nicola set up the pizza shop 18 months ago after 18 years working in a busy office but was looking for a change and wanted to do something she was more passionate about.

West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper said: “Small Business Saturday is a fantastic initiative to help support small, local and independent businesses on our town’s high streets.

“2020 has been one of the most challenging years for businesses who are working hard to keep afloat, pay the bills and retain their staff.

“It was a pleasure to meet with Nicola and Matt to hear how they have changed their business to ensure they could continue trading and at the same time continuing to promote and support other businesses and local charities.

“I hope constituents, where they can do so safely, will support our local shops and businesses by shopping with them rather than just the larger online retailers.”

Founder and owner Nicola Jackson-Jones commented: “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind first year and a half, starting with setting up the business and growing our customer base, then of course we were forced to close initially in March, before adapting the business to be able to continue trading in line with the ever changing rules.

“While it has been a struggle at times, we have had such huge support from family and friends, but also neighbouring businesses and the customers. Not only have they supported by coming to us, but we’ve made some great friends who thankfully have become loyal to our pizzas!

“Burscough Street now is becoming quite a vibrant end of the town centre with lots of new businesses opening up, including Emma’s Wild Garden, Beck’s Sandwich Bar, the Buck is back open and loads more restaurants and bars. We’re really coming together now to promote the town as a top place to visit and enjoy and as restrictions ease, we will see shoppers and diners getting back in the town.”

Co-owner Matt Andrews added: “Nicola and I have worked hard to keep the business going and also to give something back to the local community.

“Last year Nic supported local people linking with the Birchwood Centre in Skelmersdale in collecting and donating wrapped Christmas presents for children who might have gone without one otherwise.

“This year has been different so we’ve tried to support where we can, along with our customers, fundraising and donating money and pizzas to hospital staff, local foodbanks and the women’s refuge.

“When restrictions are lifted and it’s safe to do so, we look forward to welcoming all our customers back to eating in.”

And to welcome Burscough Street businesses back to work yesterday, Two Cents cooked and delivered pizza to the small businesses at lunch time.
Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local' and support small businesses in their communities. The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses. On Small Business Saturday, customers across the U.K. go out and support all types of small businesses, online, in offices and in stores.