Thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of everyone, we are succeeding in bringing coronavirus under control, and have been able to cautiously reopen parts of our local economy.
Last Saturday I was out and about on Stourbridge High Street speaking to local traders and shoppers and it was great to see the shops busy and starting to thrive again. They are the hub of our community.
From Saturday 4th July we will see our pubs, restaurants and hairdressers able to reopen.
I look forward to my first hair cut in months and visiting our pubs and restaurants with friends and family over the coming weeks. I hope that many of you will be able to support our hospitality businesses too.
There is no doubt the next few months will be challenging but we must not let COVID-19 defeat our livelihoods. This is why over the next few months (and for however long is needed) I will be focusing on protecting people and their jobs. The Government has played a significant part by taking unprecedented action to support businesses, jobs and our economy. This includes the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - helping to pay people’s wages, support for the self-employed, an extraordinary package of loans and grants available to businesses, and a Bounce Back Loan Scheme that enables small businesses to borrow up to £50,000, fully guaranteed by the Government, and access the cash within days.
Now it is time to play our part and stand behind our local businesses and I urge everyone to buy local, procure local and recruit local.
Last week I visited Saltbrook Place and I was inspired by the warmth of both the staff and residents. Saltbrook provides an environment for homeless people who have a connection with the Dudley area. I was touched that some of the accommodation allows residents to bring their dogs. As a dog owner myself I know how important their companionship is to us.
This week was supposed to be the Stourbridge Carnival - it was to be my first visit to this much lauded event, and I am sad that it won’t be taking place. Next year, it will be something to look forward to and celebrate - not just the event itself, but our fantastic community and its spirit getting through this unprecedented time.
What I love most about my role as your MP is being out and about in the community. It has been frustrating not being able to do so since lockdown. However with restrictions easing, I will once again be out there and I look forward to seeing you all.
Finally, we have made great progress and the easing of lockdown is welcomed, but we must all remain vigilant. COVID-19 is still with us and until such time that we find an effective vaccine, it remains a threat to us all. So please do follow guidelines, keep washing your hands, stick to the new one metre plus rule and we will get through this.
