MP pushes Empire House plans
01 April 2008
Dewsbury MP Shahid Malik has stepped up efforts to bring jobs to the town and is to facilitate a meeting between Kirklees Council and the owners of Empire House.The move follows a meeting between the MP and Shapoor Naghshineh of RCP at which investment in the building and the wider regeneration of the town centre was discussed.
Shahid Malik said: "The meeting went very well indeed and it's clear to me that Shapoor is serious about Dewsbury and has shown his commitment to the town through recent investment in the building."
"RCP is not a faceless organisation out to make a profit at any expense, it's a company which is keen to see Dewsbury prosper and play a part in the wider regeneration of the town."
"Given the prominence and position of Empire House it's logical that the town as a whole benefits when the building is buzzing with office staff. It's my intention to look to bring together the two necessary elements needed to realise that scenario and see what is possible."
Earlier this year Mr Malik launched the ‘Jobs 4 Dewsbury' campaigned aimed at bringing Kirklees jobs to Dewsbury. Figures obtained by Mr Malik's office from Kirklees show that up to 2,000 council employees from the Dewsbury area travel to jobs elsewhere in Kirklees. The Dewsbury MP wants the council to move some of those jobs to the town.
Empire House's owner, Shapoor Naghshineh, said: "Having read in the Dewsbury Reporter of his commitment to regeneration in Dewsbury I was keen to meet Mr Malik. As a company with a large interest in Dewsbury we have shown our commitment to the town through recent and on-going investment in Empire House and I look forward to working with Mr Malik in aiding the wider regeneration of Dewsbury."