#AmazingAccrington business leaders, local schools and education providers all came together for a special meeting on Friday 13th September, which was held at North Lancs Training Group’s facility at the Old Bakery. The meeting was to introduce new MP, Sarah Smith and hear about her plans for the future.
The event discussed making society more equal, youth employment, and strengthening the local economy amongst other items. Delegates had a chance to ask questions and air their views, Professor Miranda Barker OBE of the East Lancs Chamber of Commerce took the opportunity to raise the Freight Rail project, and how it would bring 2835 jobs to the local area, something they had discussed at the election hustings. Sarah Smith MP was certainly keen to revisit these discussions and pick up working towards making this happen, and has booked meetings in to progress this.
Sarah was also pleased to share that she has recently been appointed a National Mission Champion for Opportunity, and Vice Chair of the Growth group, so she will have a special interest in removing barriers to opportunity for young people and kickstarting economic growth, both nationally and locally.
Sarah Smith, MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden said, “I’m delighted to be here with all these brilliant business leaders from across Hyndburn and Haslingden. There’s been some great questions today and I’m really looking forward to working with them in the months and years to come to bring greater prosperity and economic growth to the area.”
Gareth Lindsay, Managing Director of NLTG added, “We’ve been delighted today to host the Amazing Accrington business leaders event down here at our Old Bakery centre. It’s been great to hear from Sarah Smith, our MP for the borough, about her plans for her tenure. We look forward to working really closely with her over the coming years to get more people into further education and to help them get opportunities for rewarding careers here in Accrington.”
Cllr Munsif Dad, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council also added, “It’s great to hear from our local MP and to have the public and private sectors talking to each other and working together. We look forward to continuing our good relationships, and working together for the benefit of Hyndburn.”
Cllr Kimberley Whitehead of Hyndburn Borough Council commented, “It’s really important that we have a strong relationship with business leaders and the Council, and Amazing Accrington is a great group to collaborate with. It’s a fantastic platform to share ideas and plans for the future and how we can work together.”
Murray Dawson, Chair of Amazing Accrington, also commented, “I’m really proud that we can get the room full of like-minded people looking for the betterment of Hyndburn.”
You can see more on opportunities for young people on the purpose built area of the #AmazingAccrington website here: www.opportunities.amazingaccrington.co.uk
