Jess Brown-Fuller MP recently visited the Almshouse Arcade in Chichester to meet local business owner Sarah Barnett and speak with independent retailers about the opportunities and challenges facing high street businesses in the current economic climate.  Established over 40 years ago, the Almshouse Arcade is home to twelve small retail units and is well known for its distinctive vintage character. Owned by the Barnett family since the 1980s, the Arcade has recently reopened

Jess Brown-Fuller has challenged the government in Parliament this week over its failure to deliver meaningful reform of the business rates system, warning that continued delay is holding back local businesses across Chichester.  Raising the issue in the House, Jess highlighted the frustration felt by many businesses in the constituency which are busy and well-established, yet struggling under an outdated system which penalises investment and places an unfair burden on high s

The Liberal Democrat MP for Chichester, Jess Brown-Fuller, has warned that rural pubs and hospitality businesses are on “their last legs”, as spiralling costs and looming business rates hikes push vital community hubs towards closure.  Last week, Jess Brown-Fuller visited The Horse & Groom in East Ashling to meet publican John Ayton MBE and hear first-hand how rising costs are squeezing even well-used, much-loved village pubs. Despite strong community support, John explained

Jess Brown-Fuller, MP for Chichester, has demanded urgent action from the government as figures show 4,766 households in the area are estimated to be living in fuel poverty.   Following the Chancellor’s Budget announcement last month to cut funding for energy efficiency schemes such as the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), Jess has called on the government to “get serious” about lowering energy bills for good.   Data reveals the ECO scheme has installed 3,376 in Chichester, pr

By Jess Brown-Fuller The build-up to this year’s Budget has certainly been gloomy, with businesses and residents telling me everything feels quite bleak. I am writing this the day before Rachel Reeves delivers her Budget in the House of Commons and, even with all the leaks in the build-up, MPs find out what is announced at the same time the public does.   I am not anticipating a Budget that will truly deliver the answers to issues affecting residents and businesses in Chiches

Jess Brown-Fuller MP has written to Southern Water CEO Lawrence Gosden to request a reassessment of Southern Water’s social tariff criteria , warning that it “no longer reflects the current economic reality facing many households”.   Customers are facing rapid water bill increases amidst an ongoing cost-of-living crisis. In Chichester, residents also deal with higher-than average house prices and rental costs, alongside extortionate energy bills.   Jess’ request follows previ

Jess Brown-Fuller, MP for Chichester, sat down with members of the Chichester Chamber of Commerce & Industry over breakfast at the Goodwood Hotel to discuss the challenges of doing business in the current economic climate.   Speaking to business leaders and entrepreneurs from the area, Jess talked about the challenges facing the country in the run-up to the 2025 Autumn Budget, potential opportunities for businesses during the devolution process in England, and the Liberal Dem

MP for Chichester, Jess Brown-Fuller, ha s slammed the government for refusing to listen to farmers, following reports that the Chancellor does not plan to amend or repeal the damaging Family Farm Tax in next month’s Budget.    Jess has supported the rural community in their campaign to reverse this tax since it was first introduced last year. Despite being warned that their policy could lead to a lost generation of farmers, the government has not budged.     Jess recently me

By Jess Brown-Fuller MP Last Friday, I sat down with representatives from the local hair and beauty industry for a round-table event, to hear first-hand about the challenges facing the sector here in Chichester and across the country.    Hairdressers, barbers, and beauty professionals are at the very heart of our high street communities, providing skilled work and supporting wellbeing as an important social outlet. Salons also help to drive much needed regular footfall for ot

By Jess Brown-Fuller MP Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking to attendees of the Last Friday Club, a network of local small businesses and entrepreneurs who meet each month at Rume2 on Crane Street in the city centre. This free group has been supporting freelancers since 2016, and it was great to hear from the people at the heart of business about both the huge potential they have for growth and the challenges they face.   Jess with local business leaders at the Last Fri

Liberal Democrat MP for Chichester, Jess Brown-Fuller, is calling on the government to stop neglecting Britain’s farmers and to take urgent action to safeguard the future of rural communities, as MPs celebrate the National Farmers Union’s (NFU) Back British Farming Day.   The party is demanding a full package of support, including scrapping the unfair Family Farm Tax, restoring Defra funding for Young Farmers’ Clubs, and introducing mandatory country-of-origin labelling on al

Liberal Democrat MP for Chichester, Jess Brown-Fuller, has secured a public commitment from the Secretary of State for Health during Health and Social Care Questions in the House of Commons, in support of the nation’s unpaid carers. Jess speaking in Parliament The intervention comes on the same day that carers across the country launched a powerful “protest from home” alongside the Carers Trust. Their faces were projected on large screens in Parliament Square – a moving displ

Jess Brown-Fuller MP has encouraged local businesses across Chichester constituency to respond to the Business and Trade Committee’s Small Business Strategy inquiry.  The inquiry has been launched following the government’s announcement at the Autumn Budget in 2024 that it intends to publish a Small Business Strategy to set out its vision on how it will support small businesses, particularly those on our high streets.  The aim of the inquiry is to develop recommendations for

This comes as energy regulator Ofgem has this week confirmed that the price cap for energy bills is set to rise a further 6.4% from April, the third consecutive quarter where prices have risen.