8 October 2010
Andrew Mitchell MP has met with Mike Bushell, Sutton Coldfield’s new Town Centre Manager, to discuss the progress he has made in his first 10 weeks in office. Mr Bushell’s role as Town Centre Manager – created as part of a new initiative from Sutton’s Conservative Councillors – is to ensure that the town’s businesses have a voice in the development and regeneration of Sutton Coldfield. During the meeting, held at Mr Mitchell’s constituency office, Andrew heard how Mr Bushell has visited more than 200 of Sutton’s 380 businesses over his first 10 weeks in order to better understand the issues facing the town’s retailers. Mr Bushell said, “It is clear that Sutton Coldfield is a unique town with great prospects. In the short term I would like to improve the traffic situation and make the town easier to navigate for visitors. In the long term I would like to see the town centre rejuvenated as envisioned under the Town Centre Regeneration Plan.” Andrew Mitchell MP said, “Mr Bushell’s appointment is a really positive step for the immediate and long term future of our town centre. “In order to make the improvements we all wish to see made in Sutton we require businesses to make real investments, and I hope that Mr Bushell will be able to facilitate this. “I will continue to offer my advice and strongest support to him.” Councillor Philip Parkin, Lead Member for Economic Development in Sutton, said, “I\'m delighted that Mike is on board and I look forward to continuing to work with him in helping local businesses in our town.”