Economic support for market towns (From Worcester News)

Economic support for market towns

3:20pm Tuesday 30th June 2009

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FOUR of Worcestershire’s market towns are to benefit from a package of economic measures to help them battle the recession.

Droitwich, Evesham, Stourport-on-Severn and Tenbury Wells will be able to access support from regional development agency Advantage West Midlands (AWM), which is working alongside key regeneration partners in Worcestershire to start rolling out a tailored package to support the worst-hit market towns.

The response is the result of discussions between Peter Luff, MP for Mid-Worcestershire, and members of the West Midlands Taskforce, which is co-ordinating the region’s response to the economic crisis and comprises leaders from government, business, regional agencies, local authorities including Worcestershire County Council and trade unions.

The measurers will include:

• Specific larger employers in the private sector in these towns will be contacted by AWM and offered a package of business support to help retain jobs during the recession, build business resilience and plan for the future.

• A programme to support independent retailers will be introduced. The ‘Skillsmart Retail’ programme will be delivered alongside retailers and other partners with support from Business Link West Midlands.

• £150,000 is being made available to the Citizens Advice Bureau and similar service advisers to increase their support services across the region’s worst affected market towns.

• In addition, festivals and events will also benefit from AWM’s regional and national “Join the Celebrations” programme which promotes local events. The 14 events include Evesham River Festival, Pershore Plum Fayre, Tenbury Agricultural Show, Malvern Autumn Show and Worcester Festival.

Mr Luff said: “This is a welcome package of measures to help our market towns deal with a painful recession.

“It addresses the needs of major employers, small businesses and hard-pressed families and shows that the partnership between local authorities and AWM is delivering real benefits for local people at a difficult time.”

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