CHANCELLOR Sajid Javid visited business owners and residents in Burnham-on-Sea today (December 4).

Mr Javid met Conservative candidate for Wells James Heappey and business owners, who are part of Burnham Chamber of Trade, for a coffee at Café Beans in the town’s High Street before walking through the town and speaking to residents.

During the meeting Mr Javid listened to concerns from business owners about broadband, business rates, Brexit and funding for coastal towns and rural communities.

In an interview with the Weekly News, Mr Javid said: “It has been excellent being in Burnham-on-Sea today.

“It has been great to be in the town to meet coastal business owners and listen to their concerns and see what a thriving community it is.”

The Weekly News asked Mr Javid what will be done to help small businesses after this month the owners of John’s Shop in High Street revealed they would be closing their doors in January due to ‘high business rates and rents.’

Mr Javid said: “We will help small businesses by cutting business rates.

“We want to increase the trust that retailers have got on the high street.

“And as we have said in our manifesto we will cut business rates for small businesses and other venues such as local pubs and music venues and introduce the Town’s Fund to help communities make improvements to their local area.

“We want to help businesses prosper and help communities make the improvements they need to their areas.”

James Heappey, Conservative candidate for Wells, said he was ‘thrilled’ to have Mr Javid in the town today and is feeling ‘positive’ about his campaign.

He said: “It was really good to have the Chancellor in Burnham-on-Sea today.

“The aim of this visit with the Chamber of Trade was so that business owners got to see what choices the top decision makers are making to help them, it was highly important.

“It was great to see Sajid talking to small business owners about how our party will help businesses and rural communities in my opinion he is the best man for the job.

“Everyone we have spoken to on the doorsteps seems to be telling us that they want to leave the EU and get Brexit done.

“If elected my highest priority will be to help get Brexit done, nothing can be achieved unless we get Brexit done.

“Thereafter let’s sort out things in our local communities such as provision for local health care to help the growing number of people living with dementia in Somerset, invest in post 16 training to help young people to gain skills and get out into the workforce.”