Alex Burghart, Conservative Candidate for Brentwood and Ongar, wants to see Prime Minister, Boris Johnson’s multi-million pound investment package for towns and communities across Britain breathe new life into the constituency’s High Streets, towns and villages.
Alex said: “The High Streets of Brentwood, Ongar, Shenfield and Ingatestone are fortunate to have many desirable independent shops and businesses. But we live in an area where rents and business rates are high and it’s difficult to make a profit. That’s why this package of investment is so important.”
The package includes measures to:
- Keep the high street open for business. We will cut business rates for shops, cinemas and pubs. The average corner shop will get a £1,400 cut in their business rates from the extension in the retail discount. Up to half a million businesses will benefit, with the discount extended to all cinemas and music venues.
- Save pubs and post offices. We will back community groups who want to buy their local pubs and post offices with a £150m fund and a 9 month ban on sale to other bidders.
- Re-connect towns and villages to the rail network, with a new £500m fund to restore lines and stations removed by the 1960s Beeching Report.
- Invest in cycling and walking. We will make it easier for people to cycle and walk around their local areas, improving air quality and public health.
Alex added: “I live and shop in Ongar and am all too aware of the need for the town to look at the big picture, and join up transport, shopping and tourism to boost local business. This package will allow the big picture to come into focus not only for Ongar, but Brentwood, Ingatestone and Shenfield too. It will allow small cinemas and music venues to qualify for a retail discount on business rates, which I know is important for many local people. Pubs will get £1000 business rate relief too, which I know will be great news for all those who have contacted me about support for their favourite local.”ENDS
Brentwood High Street photo credits: Ian Davidson