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Last updated: 2/2/2012
Expires: 3/11/2012
Every month Councillor Mike Heenan, Leader of the Council, shares his thoughts on what is going on in the Borough. You can respond to Mike by
emailing him.
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Plenty of news throughout the country about companies closing down, going in to administration, struggling.
But Stafford Borough is very much open for business.
I recently met with our local Chamber of Commerce. Here is a group of businessmen and women committed to making sure our area thrives. People who believe in going for growth despite, I imagine, coming up against some tough times.
I’ve mentioned the major retail developments of the Riverside, Kingsmead and the expansion of MOD before. But even if it were possible to ignore these huge investments, I would still be able to tell you why I am confident we are ‘open for business.’
This month a planning application is submitted for an £8.5 million business park at Redhill off the A34 in Stafford. It could create around 2,600 jobs in a range of businesses, such as high tech manufacturing. Then there is the expansion of the Beacon Business Park which will create 2,000 jobs over the next decade.
I have also been putting the final touches to our three year corporate plan and one of our priorities is helping smaller and medium sized business. Not just to get them off the ground, but to support them so they continue running successfully.
You may remember our local development plan was being consulted on last year. Well it wasn’t all about housing. It identified sites earmarked for new businesses - and we have received positive feedback from the business community.
It isn’t just myself and cabinet colleagues who are confident for the future of job growth in the borough. I felt that confidence and support from the ‘Chamber’ too.
I know ‘closing down sales’ can be popular. But in Stafford Borough we are very much open for business.
Councillor Mike Heenan
Leader of the Council
