When I was running for election I stated that one of my top
priorities would be to support local businesses and work for economic growth
and job creation locally.
Much of my time in Westminster is usually spent in the House
of Commons or working on policy issues and constituents’ cases. But whenever possible I am keen to give time
to meet and work with local businesses and last week presented me with a number
of opportunities to do so.
On Wednesday last week I attended the Royal Aeronautical
Society’s Spaceport UK
Conference to support Newquay Airport in their bid. This brought together the six airports in
the running for the UK Spaceport, and major players in the industry.
In my
opinion Newquay is in a very strong position, it boasts the fifth biggest
runway in the UK and offers the Space industry room to grow in the Aerohub
Enterprise Zone.
I was
pleased to be the only MP in attendance; it gave a strong message that Cornwall
takes its bid seriously. It also gave me
the chance to spend time with senior members of both Virgin Galactic and XCor;
both companies are developing spacecraft for tourist space flights. I was able to reinforce the strengths of
Newquay as a serious contender and invite them to visit Cornwall and the
airport. I believe a Spaceport in Cornwall will be a game changer to the
local economy. It will attract a whole
host of technical jobs and tourists from across the globe at a level we do not
currently experience.
Later that day I came back to earth from space travel and
moved onto the very serious business of pasties. I was excited to meet with the team from the
new Pasty Museum being planned for Par.
The team brings together an interesting mix of backgrounds and
skills. Malcolm Ball of WMC Retail
Partners Plc is leading the development, supported by Sam’s Cornwall and
Portreath Bakery.
The attraction will be named “Cornucopia” in tribute to the
county’s strong tradition of food and drink. The vision for this development is much more
than a Pasty Museum; Cornucopia will be a quality food hub and will offer the
public the chance to browse interactive exhibits, make retail purchases and
enjoy the on-site food and drinks service.
We already have an excellent food and drink offering across
mid-Cornwall and Cornucopia will build on this reputation. Located close to the Eden Project it will
also add to the tourist destinations in the St Austell Bay Area. I wish Malcolm and the team every success and
I am especially looking forward to the interactive pasty exhibits.
There are many innovative and exciting ideas and
developments across mid-Cornwall, of which these are just two examples, that
will all help to build the local economy.
As your MP I look to champion all efforts to build the local economy so
please feel free to ask for my support.
If I or my team can help in anyway please get in touch –
tel. 01726 829379, office@stevedouble.org.uk
