Kate Griffiths MP today (26/07/21) welcomed Government Minister, Luke Hall MP, to Uttoxeter after he accepted her invitation to tour the historic market town to see what can be done to unlock investment and unleash the town’s full potential.
The Minister, responsible for Regional Growth & Local Government, is key to the Government’s Levelling Up Agenda and has been central to the Towns Fund programme, which awards local authorities significant sums of money to invest in their town centres—including Burton on Trent, which has already secured £22.8million.
Kate met with the Minister and Uttoxeter Councillors George Allen and Duncan Goodfellow to look at possible areas of regeneration, including the Trinity Centre and the Maltings shopping centre.
Both centres have a high level of vacant shops, and were identified earlier this year as key areas that residents wanted to see improved in the local MP’s Town Regeneration Survey.
The local leaders pressed the Minister about the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, and what could be included into a possible bid to secure the necessary cash for any improvements.
East Staffordshire Borough Council will launch the next phase of its public consultation on the Uttoxeter Masterplan on Saturday 7th August. The consultation is specifically focused on the sites identified in the Plan under consideration for regeneration, and how they might be redeveloped. Kate Griffiths is urging all local residents to get involved and have their say.
Kate Griffiths MP said:
“I am pleased the Minister accepted my invitation to visit Uttoxeter and see for himself the real potential Uttoxeter has, and the opportunities there are to regenerate sites which are in real need of some investment.
“From my recent Town Regeneration Survey, there is strong public support for sites such as the Maltings to be redeveloped, and I would urge all residents to have their say as part of the upcoming consultation being run by ESBC next month on the locations identified in the Council’s Masterplan.
“I will continue to work with local councillors as plans are formulated, and we consider a bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to secure the cash required to deliver improvements to the town.”
Minister Luke Hall MP commented:
“I would like to thank Kate for inviting me to visit Uttoxeter today. This is a historic market town, and I know that she and local councillors are working hard to secure a bright future for the town.
“It was good to discuss future opportunities, and I would welcome a bid from local leaders to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.”
