Esther McVey: Why I’m supporting Hoylake’s bid to become a Mary Portas pilot town

Mar 21 2012 Heswall News

LAST Friday night at a packed meeting arranged by Hoylake Village Life and attended by shop owners, residents, local charities and organisations, I chaired Hoylake’s bid to become one of the Government’s “Portas Pilot Towns”.

This is a government scheme aimed at supporting our town centres, shops, jobs and local communities.

It is guided by the recent report of Mary Portas into high street shopping, acknowledging that, in recent years, high streets have faced stiff competition from internet shopping and out-of-town shopping centres and what needs to be done to ensure the future success of our local town centres and villages.

Mary’s report sets out a vision that “the high streets of the future should be multi-functional and social places bustling with people, services and jobs which offer a clear and compelling purpose and experience that’s not available elsewhere, and which meets the interests and needs of the local people”.

The Government is asking local leaders and communities to come up with innovative ideas for their high streets and, in return, 12 towns across the UK will become a “Pilot Town” receiving £100,000 and assistance to turn their plans into a reality.

These bids will be led by “Town Teams” who will provide the vision and strategic management.

Friday night showed how much the people of Hoylake care about their local community as well as what visions they have for the area. I’m offering my full support for this bid.

If you want to know more contact me on 632 4348 or www.Hoylakevillage.org.uk