I am passionate about supporting local high streets, they are the focal point for communities, vital sources of employment and home to fantastic independent and small local businesses, which Fylde is blessed by a wide range of. With Parliament in recess, it was a great opportunity to meet with some of the people behind these businesses.
Bramble and Bee on Woodlands Road in Ansdell is a truly special example of this. Sam is a passionate beekeeper from Warton who was inspired to begin making herbal remedies after treating her daughter’s eczema with honey. Several years on and Sam has developed a range of certified honey-based treatments, including as balms, creams, and body scrubs. Bramble and Bee also operate a spa at the Grand Hotel, a real testament to the quality of the products they produce.
Another great local option when treating a loved one, be it for Mother’s Day next month, an upcoming birthday, or another special occasion, is Blond and Bloom in Lytham. Suzanne showed me around some of the stunning bouquets and floral displays she had put together for Valentine’s Day. The craftsmanship was wonderful to see, and it came as little surprise when Suzanne told me of her pride at the number of repeat customers she serves.
But access to cash and banking facilities remains a challenge for many of our high streets, banks and ATMs help boost footfall for neighbouring businesses, while their absence poses challenges for businesses needing to deposit cash. On this topic, I met with LINK, who are coordinating the establishment of banking hubs in areas lacking in high street banking facilities, to make the case for the opening of new hubs in Fylde.
Having once been home to 6 bank branches, Kirkham saw the last of these close in 2019. While there are criteria to meet and demand for new hubs is high, I am hopeful that the strong case I put forward for the town will bring about progress. I am keen to include local voices in this campaign and will be showing the team from LINK around Kirkham. Once I have done so, I will be seeking testimonies from residents and businesses about their existing banking arrangements and what a new hub would mean for them.
I was privileged to meet with Neil Roberts, father of Ralph Roberts, who sadly passed away from a rare medical condition in 2021. Ralph was an avid skateboarder and, Neil is now organising a fundraising campaign to encourage people to "Live Like Ralph", helping young people get into skateboarding by maintaining skate parks and providing shoes and boards to people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
This summer they are holding the inaugural Tour De Ralph, starting in Scarborough and finishing at Apex Cycleworks in Lytham. While the ride is at capacity, you can show your support by purchasing raffle tickets or donating online. More information is available via https://www.livelikeralph.com/