During Business Questions on Thursday (22 October), High Peak MP Robert Largan urged the Leader of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, to hold a debate on support for high streets and small businesses.
Robert used his parliamentary question to promote Buxton’s bid for the future high streets fund, asking:
“Can we have a debate on how we can help our high streets and small businesses? I want to highlight Buxton’s future high streets fund bid, which has been shortlisted by the Government. I sincerely hope that it is successful. Buxton high street has had some difficult years, but there are lots of reasons for optimism, such as Buxton Crescent, which has just reopened after a £70 million heritage refurb into a five-star hotel and spa. That is just another of the brilliant reasons why everyone should come to visit Buxton, Britain’s best spa town, as soon as it is safe to do so.”
The Leader of the House responded:
“Buxton is a wonderful spa town. I might slightly quibble about “best” seeing as my constituency is so close to Bath, and I might upset my neighbours if I were to—[Interruption.] Ah, it is a city. We can agree then, although Harrogate might be upset. I had better not say which is the best in the country, but Buxton is certainly a very beautiful spa town. I am delighted to hear about the reopening of the Buxton Crescent after the £70 million refurbishment. As I said earlier, high streets are essential to our towns and our sense of community, and it is really important to use the £3.6 billion towns fund well. My hon. Friend is such a fantastic champion for his own area, and this is important because we want people to visit our great and historic towns and cities and spend money there and keep the economies going and thriving.”
Robert Largan MP commented:
“Tourism plays a vital role in High Peak’s economy, and Buxton offers some of the best attractions for visitors from across the region and beyond. That is why I am doing everything I can to keep the pressure on the Government in Westminster and get Buxton through this crisis.”
