Business News
Closures show a need for town
Open letter calls for commitment on HS2
Prominent figures from the West Midlands have signed an open letter calling on party leaders to publicly commit to completing HS2 Phase Two in its entirety. Greater Birmingham Chambers of
Commerce chief executive Paul Faulkner is among the high-profile figures from the region to have signed the letter, which urges Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn, Vince Cable and Nicola Sturgeon to offer their unwavering support to the project. The letter – spearheaded by Midlands Connect, Midlands Engine, Northern Powerhouse Partnership and Core Cities UK – explains HS2 Phase Two is the only way to ensure the country benefits fully from a once-in-a-generation
opportunity to drive regional growth and rebalance the economy. Other high-profile signatories
include Birmingham Airport CEO Nick Barton, Birmingham City Council leader Ian Ward and PwC’s regional chair Matthew Hammond. The open letter explains: “HS2
Phase Two will extend the benefits of this vital piece of infrastructure to more than 25 million people – over a third of the UK’s population – across the East Midlands, the North and Scotland. These people and places should not be denied the job and growth opportunities that HS2 brings. It must continue beyond Birmingham. “Our support must not flounder or stall. We must unite to deliver
HS2 in full, and we urge you to join us by offering your vocal and unwavering support. Help make HS2 happen for everyone, and help us all achieve our full potential. “To our party leaders we say –
back it, build it, benefit from it.” HS2 Phase One, connecting
London to the West Midlands, received Royal Assent in 2017 and construction is underway. Phases 2a and 2b, connecting
the West Midlands to the East Midlands, Crewe, Manchester, South Yorkshire and Leeds, still require parliamentary backing to proceed. Phase 2a is scheduled to receive
Royal Assent before the end of 2019, with Phase 2b following in early 2023.
improvements The closure of a Marks & Spencer store in Sutton Coldfield highlights the need to bring about major improvements to the town centre, business leaders have said. The store in the Royal Town’s
main high-street is among 16 facing closure across the UK. The retailer said up to 1,000 jobs
are under threat nationally, with 96 of those in Sutton Coldfield. Katie Hale, president of the
Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are saddened to learn of the closure of the Marks & Spencer store in Sutton Coldfield and we hope that job losses are kept to a minimum. This is undoubtedly a major blow to the town centre and further highlights the need to drive forward improvements to ensure Sutton Coldfield will prosper in the future. “The Chamber will continue to
work with the Town Council as part of the Town Centre Regeneration Partnership in order to help shape these improvements, as we strive to achieve our shared aim of making the town a better place to work, live and visit.”
• More Sutton Coldfield news on page 53
February 2019 CHAMBERLINK 13
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