Investing in Brentwood and Ongar

At The Merchant with Rick Live with PFCC Roger Hirst

I am working with businesses to boost our High Streets with investment from the Government's Levelling Up Fund.

In addition, I support the Brentwood Improvement District (BID) which is now in place to enable local shopkeepers, cafe owners, business people, residents and the local councils to work together to improve the amenity, access and enjoyability of the High Streets in Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone.

News

Rising Cost of Business for the Rising Sun Pub

I recently visited Ian and Nina Boyd at The Rising Sun in Brentwood to hear first-hand about the challenges they are facing as a business.Since taking over the pub in 2020, costs have soared.

Railway Improvement Works at Ingatestone Update

Update to article originally published 1st December 2025Network Rail has been in touch to advise about railway improvement works taking place near Ingatestone Level Crossing in January and February 2026.

A New Church in an Old Church Building

Users of the multi-storey car park on Coptfold Road in Brentwood will have seen – from height – the building work which is going on to refurbish and update the former United Reform Church building on the other side of the green.There’s been a church of one kind or another on this site for more than

Epping Forest Guardian - Labour Government U-Turn on Family Farm Tax

A very Happy New Year to all readers of this column in the Epping Forest Guardian.The western part of my Brentwood and Ongar constituency is largely rural, with a significant part of the land around Ongar and the surrounding villages being used for agriculture and farm-based businesses.Some of my lo

Head to Our High Streets for Small Business Saturday Shopping

On Small Business Saturday it is good to hear the Brentwood Business improvement District covering the High Streets of Brentwood, Ingatestone and Shenfield is getting some more Town Rangers to help keep our High Streets safe and happy.

Budget Disaster Hits Brentwood and Ongar Businesses

Last week’s Autumn Budget statement from the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has proved to be the worst of all worlds for hard-working people, business, hospitality and growth.I visited two local businesses on Friday – McDonald’s in Brentwood and FourEighty in Shenfield – to hear their thoughts on the im

Alex Backs Our Local Post Offices

Many of my constituents have signed the Conservatives petition opposing mass Post Office closures currently being considered by the government.The plans under consideration could see up to half of Britain’s post offices close, meaning that 11 of 22 Post Offices in Brentwood and Ongar could close.Thi

Update on Hole Farm Woodland from Lower Thames Crossing

The Lower Thames Crossing team have been in touch with news of progress at Hole Farm, the new 100-hectare multi-purpose woodland, sitting alongside the M25 at the northern end of the proposed Lower Thames Crossing.Construction of the site is nearing an end, with some of the on-site kit being removed