The Value of Writing To Your MP with Wood Street Bakery

Photo credit Owen Richards

Wood Street Bakery is a small, independent, woman-owned hospitality business that takes immense pride in being deeply rooted in their community.

They strive to provide a service that genuinely reflects the needs and desires of their cherished locals and their commitment to the community is reflected in their close partnerships with local schools, offering work experience opportunities to young students. They also prioritise hiring locally to help reduce unemployment in the borough, with over 70% of our team being made up of Walthamstow residents who are paid a fair London Living Wage.

Wood Street’s mission has always extended beyond baking, that is why they launched a charitable initiative to provide free cakes to children in the borough whose families are facing financial challenges. They also work closely with Branches hostel, regularly providing them with donations of food.

‘We are more than just a hospitality business, we aim to embody Walthamstow’s spirit of unity, demonstrating how something as simple as sharing good food can ignite joy and strengthen bonds.’

As you will well know, hospitality is under immense pressure. In-spite of these challenges, Jenny and her team continue to contribute to the community in a very real and positive way. We want to see Jenny’s business and the tens of thousands of businesses like hers thrive – that is why we exist and what we lobby government about on behalf of our members.

Jenny writes to her local MP regularly to highlight the challenges she is facing. For her local MP the information she shares is invaluable and enables her to raise these challenges in parliament.

We think that Jenny’s approach, vision and the action that she takes is inspiring. The more people across our sector that communicate and create a relationship with MPs the louder our collective voice is.

We strongly encourage you to write to your elected representative, your local MP to share your story, your challenges and possible solutions.

On the 7^th of May, we are holding an event in Parliament as part of Independent Hospitality Week and are inviting MPs to join us to discuss the current challenges and raise the profile of independent hospitality businesses so please invite your MP to join us when you write to them.

To find your MP‘s contact details, please click here: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

If you would like support in writing to your MP please contact [email protected]