Cllr Mark A Kirk: My entries

Tuesday, 09 February 2010

Ethel Austin into administration

I was disappointed to learn yesterday that Ethel Austin had gone into administration. There are two branches of the outlet in North Lincolnshire. It's always sad to see a business go into administration and it can put a lot of worry on the shoulders of its employees. As a council we have been working hard to reinvigorate our town centres and attract new businesses into the area. Just last week Primark announced they would be investing in North Lincolnshire which is a huge boost to the area. The store has survived administration before and will continue to trade until a new buyer is found. I do hope that another buyer can be found.

Friday, 29 January 2010

A160 concerns

There is a story in today's Scunthorpe Telegraph which details concerns that the A160 upgrade project could be delayed. I would be very disappointed if this turns out to be the case. The scheme is vital - that's been proved and it's been recognised by political, business and trade union leaders right across the Yorkshire and Humber region. It's a regional priority. That was declared and confirmed in December. But frankly the omens do not look good. I hope to be proved wrong. We had been working on the belief the vital next stage of the scheme, confirmation of the actual route, would be announced this month. If as looks likely this is put back to March I have to be honest and say I fear the scheme could get caught up in the General Election process. If that happens then I'm very fearful what this might mean with regard to a start date for this vitally important road.

I share the views of my Chief Executive Simon Driver who, in his report to next week's Cabinet, says any delay would be bad news economically for northern Lincolnshire.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010

The Pods work continues

It doesn't seem very long since work started on The Pods leisure development and so I thought it would be an ideal time to blog again with some updates to show people how much work has progressed. I took photos before Christmas and now you can clearly see the work that has gone on with new photos I have taken today.

You can clearly see some deep holes which is good when you're building a swimming pool! But on a serious point you can see that a lot of hard work has gone on at the site and will continue over the next year or so.

I will take new photos every once in a while so local residents who may not come past the site very often can see the changes.

Current mood:

Big-Smiley

Friday, 22 January 2010

Primark to invest in North Lincolnshire

As local people may have read in today's Scunthorpe Telegraph, BHS on the High Street is to close later this year and Primark will be coming in its place. This news is bitter sweet. Obviously I am disappointed to hear of the loss of a High Street institution and it's a blow to Scunthorpe as well as a blow to the loyal employees of the store. I can assure BHS employees the council will do all it can to attract major retail investment back to the town and assist them in gaining new jobs.

At the same time I am thrilled Primark is investing in North Lincolnshire. I know they are a very, very popular firm and have made such an impact on the British High Street. I have seen the Facebook group which has had 4,000 people lobbying for them to come to Scunthorpe so I am such there will be a great many shoppers delighted with this news. I hope this will encourage shoppers to visit the town centre and it will have a positive knock-on effect for all shops.

Thursday, 21 January 2010

Baths Hall announcement

Last night we had a meeting of the full council which was, as usual, full of debate. The tone was set early in the meeting with some disgraceful accusations made against a Labour cabinet member and against a senior officer of the council. Despite the nasty comments I made an important announcement regarding the Baths Hall project. The Baths is a commitment we made to the electorate when we won the 2007 election and it is a commitment we intend to deliver. Behind-the-scenes a lot of work has gone on and last night I was able to update council on progress.

81 companies registered an interest in building the Baths Hall. Six have now been shortlisted. Two are based in the local area, one in Nottingham, one in Kings Lynn and others in the Yorkshire and Humber sub-region. At a time when the construction industry needs our help I am delighted with the response we have had. We are hopeful of work starting in April and I am sure the successful firm will be announced after February's budget meeting.

Last night I was also able to announce that three firms have put forward proposals to run the Baths Hall. They are Sheffield International Venues, SMG Europe Holdings Ltd and HQ Theatres Ltd. These are big, big players in the entertainment business. Between them they manage venues such as Manchester Arena, Leeds Arena, Don Valley Stadium and many others. They have booked artists such as U2, Madonna, Kasabian and Peter Kay. Their faith in the project is a clear statement the Baths Hall is viable.

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