Gordon Joins Shadow Business Secretary At Tower
Gordon Marsden joined the Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Chuka Umunna on a visit to Blackpool which included its regeneration changes – the new Tramway, the Tower and its new Headland and the revitalised Winter Gardens - as well as speaking to local businesses community leaders, council members and apprentices.
Mr Marsden chaired the meeting in the Tower which included a question and answer session and also a short speech from Mr Umunna about his plans to give small businesses more support. These included government to bring in a temporary cut on National Insurance to help businesses with cuts in VAT on repairs on the high street and encourage growth and improve business prospects in towns like Blackpool. Iain Hawkins from Merlin hosted the event gave Mr Umunna a tour of the newly revamped Tower attraction before he visited the hugely admired Comedy Carpet.
Mr Marsden said, ‘I am very pleased Chuka was able to accept my invitation to visit Blackpool while our regional conference was on and see for himself the improvements projects funded by the previous Government and brought to completion by Blackpool’s new Council.’
‘Chuka was able to chat with local Councillors plus the Leader of the Council Councillor Simon Blackburn about challenges they face with government cuts but also what they’re achieving to get the town on its feet again. I am also pleased Chuka found time to chat with local apprentices including from Blackpool Football Club’s Community Trust and to meet my own office apprentice Emily Ball who is working hard with me and my office as part of her apprenticeship qualification at Blackpool and the Fylde College.
Chuka Umunna MP added ‘I was delighted to come back again to Blackpool and see not just the physical changes for the better but also hear the determination to keep things moving in the town from the business people and others in my audience. I want to get across the small businesses of Blackpool and others that we’ve got practical plans as I’ve outlined to help get them and all of us out of the economic stagnation this government has failed to address.’
