BARELY a month goes by without another announcement of significant investment into our district.

The latest two are an investment into a new marina development near Stourport, and the redevelopment of Kidderminster’s Bull Ring.

Both are ambitious projects and follow a number of high-profile developments, including the safari park conference centre, Stourport’s canal basins redevelopment, the sugar beet site redevelopment, quite a number of housing and flat developments, and some Bewdley town centre changes including a new doctors’ surgery and the St Georges Hall refurbishment.

These developments are incredibly important for a number of reasons. Firstly, of course, they create local jobs whilst the work is being done.

Just the act of building creates a stimulus to the local economy as raw materials are bought, workers paid and finished properties decorated and commissioned.

Secondly, the locality becomes more attractive to move businesses to. A company looking to relocate will look at a number of basics – roads and other infrastructure, local training for workers, worker availability and costs.

But they will also look at a number of other factors: what is the area like to live in? As the manager of a company looking to move to Wyre Forest, will my kids get a good education from a good local school? What is the quality of my family life?

Finally, we want people to visit Wyre Forest and spend money.

The Bull Ring redevelopment is incredibly exciting for Kidderminster. There are plenty of people who visit the town to go to the Crossley Retail Park and to Weavers’ Wharf. But they do not stay as long as we would like and spend as much as we want them to.

By opening up the town centre and using the natural asset of the River Stour, Kidderminster presents a whole different opportunity. The town will have a vibrant hub and be an attractive place to visit and to shop and eat.

The same applies to Stourport. The canal basins redevelopment and new marina will similarly provide more reasons for people to visit and, crucially, spend more locally.

Of course, with any developments, there will be some losers. The parade of shops on Lower Mill Street will be lost and those affected will be relocated and compensated.

Indeed, my constituency office will be demolished. But that is a minute price to pay for such an exciting opportunity.

CONTACT YOUR MP

  • Email: mark.garnier.mp@ parliament.uk
  • Telephone: 020 7219 7198 or 01562 746771
  • Write: 9a Lower Mill Street, Kidderminster, DY11 6UU, or House of Commons, Westminster, London