Standing up for Stockport’s hospitality sector in the latest budget debate

Navendu Mishra’s speech in the latest budget debate in the House of Commons.

I have had another busy month in Stockport and Westminster. As the Government released its latest budget in March, there were several days of debates in the Commons to give MPs the chance to express their views about the terms of the budget and hold the Government to account. 

I was pleased to speak in the budget debate, so that I could raise some of the key issues facing Stockport, such as funding for housing, healthcare and schools. I also highlighted the vital role played by the many wonderful pubs, breweries and hospitality businesses in our community, giving a shout out to Stockport Gin, an award-winning distillery that I am pleased to say will soon be stocked in the House of Commons bar.  

The quality of Stockport’s night-time economy and related businesses was recently recognised with its receipt of the prestigious Purple Flag award. This award is given to areas that provide a vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture during evening and night-time hours, whilst also promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and local residents. Stockport’s independent businesses and traders are integral to this scene. 

I recently revisited the iconic Stockport institution that is Robinsons Brewery, a family-run company that has been brewing beer in Stockport since 1849. I went to the company’s packing centre to speak to them. We discussed the outstanding growth of Stockport in recent years, as well as the challenges that independent companies in this sector are currently facing.  

As I raised in my budget speech, Stockport’s hospitality businesses and pubs are an essential aspect of the fabric of our community and the strength of our local economy. It is an unfortunate fact that the current economic climate poses huge difficulties for businesses in these sectors, contributing to Stockport constituency losing 25% of its pubs since 2010. In light of this, independent businesses in this industry - including Robinsons – are calling on the Government to improve its support for these vital institutions. I was very glad to raise this important point in my budget speech.  

I would also like to highlight an event I attended in Stockport for International Women’s Day, which took place last month in Suffragette Square in the town centre. It was great to meet with local community groups and volunteers working on a project to renew this area with white, green and purple flowers, and a plaque displaying a portrait of Stockport suffragette Elsie Plant. This will not only improve the look of this area but help to ensure that the crucial contributions of Stockport’s suffragettes are not forgotten.  

I am concluding this month’s column with a reminder to everyone in Stockport who is not yet registered to vote to do so. Stockport will be having local council elections on 2nd May and the deadline to register to vote in this election is Tuesday 16th April. Registration takes only a few minutes and can be done online at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.  

If you live or work in Stockport constituency, as ever, please do not hesitate to contact me with queries on navendu.mishra.mp@parliament.uk or 0161 480 0833.