It is also clear that they still don’t get it. Under Labour’s current plans, far from helping the economy as Mr. Umannu suggests, would increase the National Debt by £5,000 per person whilst increasing debt interest payments £500 per year for every taxpayer.
A Let’s Talk Business conference is being held at the Civic Hall, Blackshots, Grays, between 8am and 10.30am on Friday, 4 November where the council will outline its vision for the future and invite local businesses to have their say too.
A deserted building site to our left and an eviscerated Gull lightship to our right. Are these the symbols of Thurrock in 2011. We may well be at a turning point. It was recently announced in the London Gazette that the builders Thames and County Construction Ltd, formerly Stephen Howard Homes have gone into liquidation.
SHADOW BUSINESS secretary, Chuka Umannu launched the five point plan for recovery for the East of England in Thurrock yesterday. The Streatham MP visited Commodore kitchens in Grays and the Redeemed Church of Christ in Tilbury as he delivered his message regarding growth in the teeth of the recession.
Essex FSB Chairman, Iain Wicks, said: “The Index – which has been a good predictor of the path GDP will take – fell by 9.6 points from +0.3 to -9.3 in the third quarter as more businesses lost confidence in the economy. This news comes just weeks after GDP was revised downwards to 0.1 per cent in the second quarter and ahead of third quarter figures due next week.
The programme is part-funded through the European Regional Development Fund and in addition to the business audits, signposting and grants already available through the programme it can now offer financial support in taking on an apprentice.
PRINCE PHILIP,the Duke of Edinburgh visited the site of DP World London Gateway this morning to give the royal seal of approval on what is a momentous week for the borough. Yesterday, the Stanford-le-Hope site announced that it was on track to open in late 2013. Many visitors breath is taken away with the sheer magnitude of the site which, on completion will be bigger than the city of London.
Essex FSB Chairman, Iain Wicks, said: “Thurrock Council already offers free weekend parking in the Grays multi-storey car park which is a welcome boost for local retailers and last month the council decided to allow 15 minutes free stop to shop on street parking in Grays.
Graham Farrant, chief executive Thurrock Council has also welcomed the news. He said: "This announcement should give the people of Thurrock and the surrounding districts the confidence that these new jobs are on their way. We have to work with schools and colleges to ensure local people have the skills needed to secure these jobs and to provide a local workforce for the new port and logistics park.
South West Essex FSB Branch Vice Chairman, Alan Jefcoate, said: "The statistics given by Abbey Legal Services were frightening showing that HMRC is increasing the number of tax investigations of small businesses it undertakes each year.
The number of votes cast (3,270) more than tripled the number received last year, as shoppers made the most of the opportunity to vote for their favourites in seven separate categories. Winners included Primark, which won ‘Shop I Can’t Live Without’ for large stores, and Nandos, located on The Boardwalk, which took the top spot in the ‘Favourite Place to Eat’ category.
Yesterday,deputy leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Val Morris-Cook joined with Grays Shopping Centre manager Keith Evans to announce more good news for local shoppers and businesses. The Grays multi-storey car park — which is already free at weekend — will be offering free week-day parking for two hours from 1 December to 31 December.
Steve Prangnell, Head of Supply Chain & Logistics at French Connection welcomed the deal and explained the importance of speeding up the distribution process. “We moved into our current facility five years ago and felt that it was time to look at what we were doing and drive towards a leaner model,” he said.
SKM Colin Buchanan has been commissioned to assist Thurrock Council with the preparation of its evidence base to support it proposed Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) specifically in relation to Thurrock Lakeside.
SELEP, the strategic business-led body focusing on cross-border economic growth in the region, believes that the proposed increases are ‘excessive and unfair on all drivers and businesses who are already being hit hard by the recession’.
However, should the government press ahead with its plans, SELEP has called for the discounts currently offered to Dartford and Thurrock residents to be extended to neighbouring boroughs and businesses.
