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HOWARD'S WAY.... a weekly column from Michael Howard MP

27 April 2006<IMG height=195 hspace=10 src="images/michaelhoward3.jpg" width=130 align=right vspace=10 border=0>

On Friday afternoon I chaired a meeting with the Head of Public Affairs at Marks and Spencer to try to persuade the company to withdraw its proposal to close its Folkestone store. I have previously written and spoken to Stuart Rose, the company’s Chief Executive, to emphasise Folkestone’s potential.

The Friday meeting was attended by David Monk, acting Leader of Shepway District Council, George Bunting, Mayor of Folkestone, John Barber, the Town Centre Manager, Roger de Haan, who explained the way in which his masterplan can transform the town and Alastair Shaw, representing Bridewell the developers of the new town centre currently under construction.

The message we delivered was that the company would be making a mistake if it left Folkestone and would regret any decision to close the store. The future of Folkestone is bright. When the town centre development is complete, when the high speed rail service to London is in place and, perhaps above all, if the de Haan masterplan is implemented Folkestone will be changed in a very dramatic way.

By the time you read this we may know whether our arguments have been successful. But whatever the result I believe that everything that could be done to save the store has been done.

I also found time on Friday to visit two schools. At Morehall Primary School I unveiled a mosaic designed and created by the children under the guidance of mosaic expert Martin Check. It was a really imaginative piece of work – and the first of its kind I have seen. Later in the day I opened the new Little Learners pre-school class at Sellindge Primary School, which will be a great boon for the village.

I also called in to see the new offices of Homestart in Cheriton Gardens. Regular readers will know how keen I am on this excellent scheme which recruits volunteers to help families faced with difficulties. More volunteers are needed. If you are interested, phone Homestart on 244836.