The former NatWest building, a grade II listed structure, stands tall in Pudsey town centre, situated in the heart of Rachel Reeves’s constituency in West Yorkshire. This historic site has been vacant since the bank’s departure in 2022.

Pudsey, strategically located between the city centres of Bradford and Leeds, exemplifies the transformations affecting many British high streets. The town is now part of the newly established constituency of Leeds West & Pudsey, which reflects employment levels, average earnings, and the demographic profile of its approximate 100,000 residents, all aligning closely with national averages.

As Rachel Reeves prepares for her first budget on Wednesday, locals shared their thoughts on what they hope to hear from her.

Tony Barnes, Gym Owner

Operating two gyms with his wife in Leeds, Tony Barnes, who employs 11 staff, voiced concerns about the anticipated hike in national insurance contributions for employers. He argues that this financial burden would adversely affect smaller businesses. “Trying to establish a small business comes with enough challenges; it feels like we’re being penalized for providing employees decent wages,” he stated.

Since launching his second gym, Groop, in July, he hopes the government will recognize that small businesses are not merely easy targets for taxation.

Barnes also advocates for promoting healthy eating and fitness, suggesting that while the sugar tax deters junk food consumption, more should be done to encourage the purchase of nutritious food through incentives and subsidies. He emphasized, “People should have access to good, wholesome food, and we need strategies to support that.”

Although a former resident of the constituency, Barnes now lives near Huddersfield where housing is more affordable. He is also concerned about potential freezes in income tax thresholds, which could lead to increased tax revenues due to inflation—a phenomenon known as fiscal drag. He remarked that the government is “very slow to adjust” tax rates in response to the rising cost of living.

Cheryl Duffield, Bookseller

Cheryl Duffield, 51, seeks reforms to the business rates system that unfairly favours large corporations over small, independent establishments. As the owner of The Little Bookshop in Leeds and another store in Skipton, she is concerned about an impending increase in her business rates.

Duffield believes the current system, which assesses commercial property tax based on a shop’s rateable value, fails to reflect the actual income generated, making it challenging for bookshops to compete with retail giants like Amazon. “Local businesses play a crucial role in communities, and there needs to be recognition of their value,” she stated.

Despite promises of fundamental business rates reform, she noted that tangible changes have yet to materialize. Furthermore, rising energy costs are exerting additional pressure on her operations, leading her to work more shifts to manage employee wages.

An increase in national insurance contributions might compel her to reassess her business strategy. “The government hasn’t committed to not raising employer contributions, which feels quite strategic,” she added.

Lucy Jackson, Working Mother

Returning to work after the birth of her two-year-old son, Lucy Jackson, 36, emphasizes the need for improved support for working parents, particularly with childcare costs. “Navigating the funded hours we’ve recently qualified for can be quite complex, especially with additional expenses not covered,” she explained.

Jackson, who works for George and Joseph, an independent cheesemonger, and purchased her home during the pandemic thanks to the stamp duty holiday, believes making such provisions permanent would significantly benefit families.

Warwick Andrews, Business Consultant

Warwick Andrews, formerly managing director of the Leeds Knights ice hockey team, advocates for increased investment in transport infrastructure to enhance connectivity and attract business to Leeds. He highlighted ongoing modifications to the TransPennine rail route but expressed concerns over travel durations, stating, “Persistent train issues create inefficiencies that impact productivity, with businesses weighing transport accessibility in their location decisions.”

Currently working as a freelance business consultant, Andrews supports initiatives such as modern apprenticeships, which he believes are vital for skill development and entrepreneurship.

Yaz Sheikh, Web Designer

Yaz Sheikh, 41, runs Yaz Designs, a web design firm, along with a printing service and a newly opened coffee shop in Bradford, employing four staff. He highlighted the necessity of greater government funding to support new businesses, which would ease their financial challenges in acquiring essential equipment.

Additionally, Sheikh proposes a reduction in VAT for smaller enterprises to enhance their competitiveness against larger companies and expressed concern over any increase in fuel duty affecting delivery costs. “If fuel prices rise, freight costs will inevitably follow,” he cautioned.

Phil Parker, Shoe Shop Owner

A long-time resident of Pudsey, Phil Parker founded Trendy Steps, a children’s shoe store, over a decade ago. He believes that Leeds should take cues from Manchester in enhancing its public transport system, advocating for a tram network and criticizing current bus services as inadequate. “The decision made 25 years ago to implement a super bus has not delivered effective results,” he stated.

He welcomes proposals from the West Yorkshire mayor to improve transport links between Leeds and Bradford but insists that accessibility to Leeds Bradford airport must also be addressed, highlighting the lack of any direct transport links to the airport as a significant oversight.

Parker also calls for a reduction in post-Brexit red tape for businesses importing goods, feeling that the new regulations have proven cumbersome.