Helping our city centre through the downturn

09/04/2009

Following the G20 meeting of world leaders, the fight back against global recession is taking shape here on the streets of Wakefield. Labour will provide extra money, new planning measures, and business rate deferments.

That's the message from Mary Creagh MP who is leading the efforts to ensure our city centre remains vibrant and attractive to shoppers and visitors.

Using new money available from the Department of Communities and Local Government, a Labour Government department, Mary Creagh MP will encourage creative and innovative ways to keep our centre open for business.  This might mean new community advice centres, spaces for arts and crafts, new premises for small start-up businesses, community cafes and spaces for social enterprises and the voluntary sector.  Mary is eager to hear what Wakefield folk would like to see this new money spent on.

Mary Creagh MP for Wakefield, said:  "During the Tory recessions in the early 90s and 80s our city was left to sink or swim. I am sure we have the resourcefulness and creativity here in Wakefield to come up with some imaginative ideas of our own. I would be extremely happy to hear what you think about this and how you think we should spend this money.  You can send in your ideas to my constituency office, 20-22 Cheapside, Wakefield, WF1 2TF.  

"The recession is going to affect all of us.  We all understand it's going to be tough.  We could do nothing, as the Tories would have us do, or we could work together and share our ideas and give local people real help in tough times."