A bigger Heathrow would be a major boom for small firms in west London, Hounslow Chamber of Commerce claimed ahead of Small Business Saturday .
Stephen Fry, CEO of the organisation which represents companies across the borough of Hounslow , took advantage of the campaign day this Saturday (December 5) to reassert its support for a third runway at the airport.
"Hounslow Chamber is proud to support small enterprises every day of the year as small businesses form the backbone of our local economy and our local community" he said.
"We all want to see them succeed and we can help them do so with a bigger and better Heathrow. It is important for us that at least one day a year that the contribution they make to our borough's daily life is recognised.
"Heathrow is an enormously important economic asset but it is operating at full capacity and it has to grow to meet demand. The UK's only hub airport is the front door to Britain yet it is closed to new business."
A survey by the chamber two years ago found found that 77% of local firms which responded were in favour of a third runway and 65% were only located in the borough because of Hounslow's proximity to Heathrow.
The chamber said Hounslow is home to more than 18,000 businesses, of which 95% are estimated to be SMEs (small or medium-sized enterprises).
The Government is expected to announce any day now whether it thinks a new runway should be built at Heathrow or Gatwick.
Heathrow was recommended for expansion by the Airports Commission earlier this year but only if conditions including a ban on night flights could be met.
Opponents of Heathrow expansion, including the protest group HACAN, have funded an advertising van to tour London for three days starting tomorrow (Thursday, December 3) displaying a "no third runway" message and being followed by a car blastng out aircraft noise.
Shoppers across the country have been urged to "shop small" on Small Business Saturday, with many local firms running events and promotions to mark the day.
