March 2012

Mercia Marina an Asset for South Derbyshire

Submitted by Heather on 23 March 2012 - 12:29pm

Caption: Heather pictured at Merica Marina

Caption: Heather with Michael Thornton partner of Merica Marina

Last Friday (March the 16^th) I had the pleasure of visiting Mercia Marina as part of a drive to support local businesses during English Tourism Week. I had the pleasure of meeting the Marina’s General Manager, Robert Neff, Mr Thornton a partner of the Marina and also Mr Sheard from Shakespeare Management Ltd who operate a fleet of Narrowboats out on the Marina.

When the idea was put forward to build the largest inland marina here in South Derbyshire, I thought the idea was fantastic and have really enjoyed watching Mercia Marina develop and go from strength to strength over the past few years. I often stop by the Marina when I am travelling to and from meetings and I always make a point of brining my friends and family to see it, because it really is a spectacular site and it is right here on our door step.

During my visit I learnt the excellent news that not only does the Marina have a David Bellamy Gold Award for holiday park conservation, but that it is also launching a new unique Water Adventure holiday package. The 74-acre marina’s new ‘dual’ holiday package combines a break in one of its luxury holiday lodges with a break on a narrowboat operated by Boating Holiday Rentals. This package is the first of their kind to be offered in the UK.

I also saw the Marina’s latest plans for an iconic gastro pub building and waterfront boutique shopping development, which will focus on the sale and promotion of local crafts and produce.

Tourism in the UK is really supporting our economy. In Derbyshire alone it has raised £228million every year over the past three years and it employs 5.4% people in the area. I was really pleased to help launch tourism week in Swadlincote on the 10^th of March and then to end the week here in the Marina. I hope that everyone has the opportunity to go visit the Marina and see for themselves what a great place it is.

Share the Warmth in South Derbyshire

Submitted by Heather on 22 March 2012 - 4:31pm

By insulating a home by filling a cavity, or a loft, you can save a household around £175 a year. Most energy companies will offer their customers free insulation; you just need to call them.

There are those people though that need that bit more help and I am pleased to support the “Share the Warmth” offer from British Gas.

The “Share the Warmth” offer provides the vulnerable with extra assistance and simultaneously helps bring communities together. If you have a friend, or a relative, or just an elderly neighbour, why don’t you see if you can help get their homes made warmer and their energy bills cheaper?

If you find someone that meets their criteria for insulation, they’ll give you £50 for your troubles. They’ll also insulate the house of the vulnerable customer, and then give them £50 as well. Neither of you even needs to be a British Gas customer.

All you need do is get your friend or relative to call 0800 975 1195, let them know you referenced them, and then get paid.

This is a great opportunity for our community to come together and help those that need help.

I hope you’ll be able to find some who can access this programme

To find out more about visit:

www.sharethewarmth.co.uk

Support for Tourism in South Derbyshire

Submitted by Heather on 16 March 2012 - 1:04pm

Today (Friday 16^th of March) marks South Derbyshire tourism day. This is an excellent opportunity to show our support for a sector which employs 5.4% of people in South Derbyshire and has generated £228million per year for our local economy over the past three years.

The Government has been working tirelessly, bringing in measures designed to further bolster local tourism in our area. These include –

Abolishing regulations and red tape – Changes include scrapping rules on where you need to place no smoking signs.

Live entertainment licensing – The Government has announced plans to get rid of this much hated bureaucracy that discourages people from organising concerts, plays and other live entertainment. The changes will mean more small gigs in pubs and clubs, which is where most new bands and talent get started.

Skills to boost to hospitality workers – There is a new Hospitality Guild, which aims to improve skills and productivity across the whole sector.

In addition to these measures the Government has also introduced a number of initiatives to support the tourism sector as a whole, including £150 million investment into marketing Great Britain at home and abroad and the introduction of a new online visa application to make it easier for overseas tourists to visit the UK.

The sector as a whole will be at the forefront as Britain celebrates not only the Olympics, but also the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and, because of the changes, organisers of events locally will now find the process so much easier.

Save the Date: South Derbyshire Day is coming!

Submitted by Heather on 13 March 2012 - 1:08pm

On Saturday the 14^th of April there will be the second South Derbyshire Day at Pride Park with Derby County Football Club. A special match programme of entertainment celebrating community life and culture in South Derbyshire: including education, business, local history, health and wellbeing. Then the football match between Derby County and Middlesbrough at 3:00pm.

Tickets will be available at the Swadlincote Tourist Information Centre on 01283 222 848. Adult tickets will cost £17, with concession tickets of £9 for under 21s and the over 60s and or all those under 18 tickets will be £7. For more information please visit the following link: http://www.south-derbys.gov.uk/community_and_living/community_events/south_derbyshire_day/default.asp

I think this day is going to be really special and I know many of you are looking forward to celebrating all the good South Derbyshire has to offer.

A New Free Source now Available for Local Businesses

Submitted by Heather on 8 March 2012 - 10:57am

I thought small and medium enterprises (SMEs) may be interested in the launch of a major new on-line directory of finance companies providing alternatives to conventional bank loans or overdrafts.

The Small Business Finance Directory covers leasing and hire purchase, commercial mortgages, asset-based finance and invoice discounting and factoring. It was developed by the Finance and Leasing Association and the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (with the support of the Asset Based Finance Association) and allows businesses to search finance providers and brokers by postcode. There are nearly 1,000 sources of finance listed and the directory is simple and free to use. It is available at http://www.smallbusinessfinancedirectory.co.uk/.

I hope this will be useful to some of you.

Monthly archive

Heather Portrait

Welcome to my Parliamentary Website, particularly for those of you visiting for the first time, I hope you drop in regularly in the future. I hope this website allows you to see how I am representing your interests locally and nationally, working to improve South Derbyshire. This would not have been possible without your support and I thank the people of SD for electing me.