Supporting local businesses

Throughout my time as the Forest’s MP I have always taken the time to engage with and listen to the concerns of our job creators.

This includes large businesses like Lucozade Ribena Suntory, one of our biggest employers, who have invested millions in their Coleford factory which I have toured several times, and who I have helped host events in Parliament.

Equally, I take the time to listen to our small and medium sized businesses, including our shops and those in the hospitality sector who are the backbone of the local economy. I went to particular lengths to support them in our recovery from the pandemic, leading the case in Parliament to get our economy back open as soon as safely possible.

Several local businesses have been the beneficiaries of Government grants in recent years and I have been happy to play my part in supporting them. For example, the Rising Sun at Woodcroft and the George Café in Newnham have received £175,000 and £250,000 respectively from the Community Ownership Fund, helping to get these fantastic venues back open and run by and for the local community.

News

Visit to the Dean Heritage Centre

With English Tourism week running from 17th to the 26th March, I was pleased to be invited to visit the Dean Heritage Centre on Friday.

It was a pleasure to visit the centre once again and be updated on recent developments and future plans for the site.

English Tourism Week 2023

I am proud to be supporting English Tourism Week and in particular all of the fantastic tourism offers we have here in the Forest of Dean.

Opening of the Rising Sun at Woodcroft

It was my great pleasure to attend the grand opening of The Rising Sun at Woodcroft recently. It was lovely to attend the opening with local councillor, Nick Evans. The grand opening was a fantastic event.

Leeways Packaging Services Visit

Today I visited Leeways Packaging Services Ltd at their Kalex Cinderford factory on the Forest Vale Industrial Estate. It was a pleasure to spend time with Adam, Tina and Anthony as they took me on a tour of the facilities and explained more about the business.

Cinderford Bowls Club Open Day

On Saturday, I was pleased to attend the Cinderford Bowls Club Open Day. The sun was shining and the club members welcomed visitors to try their state of the art, National Lottery funded green.

English Tourism Week

This week is English Tourism Week, a celebration of some of the fantastic attractions and hospitality venues we have across England.

Here in the Forest of Dean, we have some fantastic tourism offers. Today, I spent time with Lorraine Robinson, owner of The Roost in Mitcheldean.

Welcoming Ribena to Parliament

Suntory’s Coleford factory, home to Ribena, has been one of the Forest of Dean’s flagship employers since the 1940s and continues to sustain many skilled jobs today.