Businesses in Richmond are frustrated at the ‘lack of empathy’ shown by their MP Rishi Sunak in the face of business closures.

In a recent interview on LBC Rishi Sunak spoke about visiting a brewery in London where he was told that business was booming and footfall was high.

Back in his own constituency a micro-brewery has announced it is the latest in a series of businesses in trouble facing closure.

Small business owners have been discussing how they feel Rishi Sunak is ‘dismissing’ their problems.

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Paul Harrison, chair of the Original Richmond Business and Tourism Association, explained that the business owners he has been speaking to have questions they want their MP to answer.

He said: “Considering Rishi Sunak’s mum was a pharmacist and ran her own business surely he understands the costs involved?

“We want to know what he is going to do to help those who have battled and are battling through Covid, energy price hikes and the cost of living crisis.

“Secondly, does he recognise that this is related to Brexit.

“Is he not aware of the increased costs of importing and the logistical challenges that businesses are forced to do. All the extra paperwork because of Brexit?

“I listened to his LBC interview the other day and he had visited a brewery in London and people had told him that business was booming.

“It’s ironic that the latest business in trouble in his constituency is a micro-brewery.

“Does he recognise the difference between London businesses and those back here in Richmond?”

When asked what Richmond business owners would like to say to Rishi Sunak he said that they wanted ‘recognition’ of the problems they faced.

Mr Harrison added: “The comments on the LBC interview were all saying that he showed a complete lack of empathy.

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“I feel that some of the points that were being raised about businesses struggling were just dismissed.

“Either he doesn’t understand what is happening or he just isn’t interested.

“Listen to us Rishi!”