ENTREPRENEURS from across the UK have pledged their support for a second runway at Gatwick.
The Gatwick Obviously campaign says 19 of the UK's top entrepreneurs and nine chambers of commerce want to see the airport expanded.
In an open letter to the Airports Commission, the business owners say choosing to expand Gatwick rather than Heathrow would maintain a competitive network of airports in the South East.
Signatories include Luke Johnson, former chairman of Pizza Express and Patisserie Valerie; John Stapleton, co-founder of New Covent Garden Soup and Little Dish; Duncan Cheatle, founder of The Supper Club and co-founder of StartUp Britain.
Speaking on their behalf, Emma Jones MBE, founder of Enterprise Nation, said: "Enabling startup businesses to go global is vital to the future of the UK economy.
"Start-ups do not have vast expense accounts but rely on low-cost fares to reach new markets. Since the breakup of BAA, Gatwick has excelled in providing more choice, lower fares, better service levels and efficient service – why wouldn't UK entrepreneurs want more of the same?"
One in five of Gatwick's passengers travel on business and two thirds of business travellers choose to fly low cost on short-haul trips to Europe. Gatwick says it offers these business travellers value for money.
CEO Stewart Wingate said: "Indecision has dogged this debate for decades but more than anything, entrepreneurs and businesses up and down the country need certainty."
The signatories of the letter join supporters including nine Chambers of Commerce, three Business Improvement Districts and two Local Enterprise Partnerships.