A café owner in Newquay visited 11, Downing Street to speak up for small businesses.

Topher Chard from Saltd Café in Station Parde was invited to speak the Chancellor Rachel Reeves about the Great British Summer Savings scheme.

The government initiative running until September 1 2026 designed to lower the cost of family days out. The headline measure is a temporary VAT cut from 20 per cent to five per cent on selected family activities and children's dining across the UK.

Topher handed Mrs Reeves a poem he wrote, which tells the story of hospitality from the “human side.”

Topher, writing on social media, said: “I had a brief chat with Rachel Reeves, and she surprised me.

“She was not the same as I saw on TV. She commanded the room for her speech and gracefully met each of us.

“I knew my time would be brief, so I presented her with a framed copy of my poem "It's just Coffee" why? Because it tells the story of hospitality from the human side.”

MP Noah Law said: “Small businesses are the beating heart of communities like ours in St Austell and Newquay, and it’s so important that government listens to the voices of thriving businesses and café like Saltd.

“They know best what support businesses need to grow and overcome challenges, and I hope that Cornish businesses like Saltd are able to make the most of the Great British Summer Saving Scheme.

“The initiative is a set of targeted interventions, that should help get people and their families through the doors of our wonderful hospitality venues this summer. I was glad to hear local businesses welcome some of these measures.

“I very much hope families make the most of it and come to Cornwall for a summer of family fun this year.”