MP Mary Macleod got down to business as she visited shopkeepers at more than a dozen independent stores in the borough as part of Small Business Saturday , on December 6.

The campaign to encourage more people to shop locally and help independent businesses thrive saw her meet with shop owners in Hounslow, Osterley , Isleworth, Brentford and Chiswick.

She was joined by Veronika Weisweiller from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) to visit The Eye Studio and Noa Noa, two of the businesses on Chiswick Southside who promoted the 'Keep Local Trade' challenge to customers and put on special offers for shoppers on the day.

Ms Macleod said: “It was great to meet so many small businesses during our events for Small Business Saturday.

"I really enjoyed visiting some new and exciting businesses like Bianca Marton in Brentford who makes delicious chocolates and Bagista a new handbag shop in Chiswick as well as established favourites like Zecca, Frivoli and Snapdragon.

Derek Cornelius of Noa Noa Ltd with Veronika Weisweiller of the FSB and Mary Macleod MP

“The independent shops and businesses on our high streets really add to the unique character of our area.

"We all need to do our bit to support them so they can continue to grow and prosper.”

“The government is fully behind small businesses and has introduced a whole host of measures to support them including extending help with business rates, cutting National Insurance bills and supporting funding to small business through the Business Bank.”

On Twitter, The London Mummy shop on St Mary's Grove in Chiswick was nominated people's favourite small business by residents.

Ms Weisweiller, FSB representative, said: “Hounslow is an amazing part of London to do business in, but it can be quite tough especially for small independent business owners competing with large well known chains.

"Small independent businesses are the economic life-blood of our communities and many rely on the holiday trading period to ensure their viability through the rest of the trading year.

"We were delighted to meet Derek (of Noa Noa) and his staff within the business and have Mary Macleod supporting the need to ‘keep trade local’.”

Mary in Brentford at Bianca Martins new diary free chocolate shop on Small Business Saturday on December 6.

Other places visited by small business ambassador for London, Ms Macleod, included Park Cafe in Osterley, South Street Cafe in Isleworth, Wyndham Butchers on Chiswick High Road and Zecca on Turnham Green Terrace.