Local businesses across Witham and Coggeshall spent a morning with Priti Patel on Friday September 6.

The Witham MP spent the morning in her constituency and performed a formal opening of two new shops, Gelato Temptations, a brand-new business who specialise in the ultimate tasty desert.

She also christened the new premises in Crittall Place, Pesonalise, who specialise in high quality personalised embroidery and printing.

Commenting on her visit, Priti said: “It is always a pleasure to visit small businesses in the constituency. They are the lifeblood of our economy and will always have my full support.

“I was very pleased to launch Gelato Temptations and Personalise, in their new premises. I wish them every success in the future.

“It was also pleasing to share in the first birthday of the Parfait Salon, which is clearly a growing business and to hear their award-winning successes of The Salon.”

Later she visited Witham Community Hub where a representative from The White Hart public house in Coggeshall, presented them with a cheque towards their ongoing running cost.

They also announced that a similar Community Hub will be opening in Coggeshall soon.

She went on to congratulate growing business, Parfait Visage Hair and Beauty who celebrated their first birthday and their recent success in winning several hairdressing awards.

Tina Townsend, Chair of the Witham Chamber of Commerce, organised the programme of the day and said: “We are very grateful to Priti for finding the time out of her busy schedule to support and encourage small businesses.

“She has been a strong supporter of local business and entrepreneurship for many years and recognises their importance both to the local and national economy.”