Yeovil’s economic development, local businesses and cultural investment projects will take centre stage during a visit by two MPs on Friday, 23 October.
Yeovil MP Adam Dance will be joined by Liberal Democrat deputy leader and Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper for a series of meetings with businesses and community representatives to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the town.
The visit comes ahead of next week’s Budget, with business costs, economic growth and investment expected to feature among the key discussion topics.
Local food producer showcases business growth
A key stop on the visit will be Percy’s Bakery, a growing Yeovil-based food manufacturer supplying premium confectionery products to major retailers including M&S.
The business produces high-end Florentines and chocolates for customers including Marks & Spencer and Harrods, demonstrating the town’s role in supplying nationally recognised retail brands.
The MPs will tour the bakery as part of their programme, providing an opportunity to hear directly from a local manufacturer about its operations and the wider business environment.
Cultural investment and town centre development
The visit will also explore Yeovil’s cultural and regeneration ambitions, including projects associated with the Octagon Theatre and the town’s wider arts and cultural offering.
Adam Burgan of Yeovil Town Council, alongside James Bamford of Project Dance, will discuss local cultural initiatives during a visit to the Yeovil Triangle.
Cultural investment and town centre regeneration are important considerations for Yeovil’s wider economic development, with the potential to support visitor numbers, local spending and the attractiveness of the town as a place to live, work and invest.
Business costs and economic challenges on the agenda
The visit takes place against a backdrop of continued pressure on business operating costs, including energy, transport and hospitality expenses.
Cooper has recently outlined a proposed £14 billion package of measures aimed at reducing costs for businesses and households, including support for sectors facing particular financial challenges.
The proposals form part of the Liberal Democrats’ economic policy agenda and have not been adopted as government policy.
“Ahead of next week’s Budget, I want Daisy to hear about the challenges and some of the successful projects in our town and constituency.”
– Adam Dance, MP for Yeovil
He added that he was looking forward to introducing Cooper to people working to support Yeovil’s future success.
The programme will begin at Dance’s constituency office on Princes Street before continuing through the town centre to the Yeovil Triangle and Percy’s Bakery.
The visit provides an opportunity for local business leaders and community organisations to raise issues directly with parliamentarians while showcasing some of Yeovil’s commercial and cultural activity.