MP slams Kirklees neglect of Dewsbury
15 August 2007
Today [Friday 10th] Mr Malik is having meetings with M&S executives from London and Leeds to see if anything can be salvaged.
He said: "I'm not sure what I can achieve but even if we can get an M & S express store in the town centre, that will be some comfort particularly for the elderly and those who rely on M&S for meals."
Mr Malik continued: "The treatment of our town by Kirklees Council is shameful and an insult to local people. They have ensured Huddersfield has two shopping centres, with a third on the way, and yet they cannot support a single shopping centre in Dewsbury."
He said Marks and Spencer had been trading in Dewsbury for almost 100 years and their leaving was indicative of the councils' lack of commitment to the town.
Shahid, himself a former chief executive of a £150 million regeneration agency, said a lack of commitment to Dewsbury, a lack regeneration experience and poor leadership among ruling councillors was hampering progress in the town.
On council pronouncements he said: "Only last week council leader Robert Light was saying Dewsbury was a real priority for Kirklees in terms of regeneration."
"He claims to be making progress and predicts a bright future for Dewsbury, yet today M&S are leaving town. It appears all we get from Kirklees council is warm words and empty promises - the people of Dewsbury deserve much more."
"The council's standard line is money is pouring into Dewsbury, but as we all know there is scant evidence of inward investment on the ground, just walk around the town and see for yourself."
"They tell us that £150m is being attracted for Dewsbury and that they want to turn the Calder into a waterfront development. Yet all we've seen so far is money draining out and businesses deserting our town centre."
"How can traders be expected to have the confidence to move into Dewsbury when major players such as M&S are running away? Their leaving will also have a negative impact on existing traders who rely on the 'big names' to help bring custom into the town."
"In January Councillor Light assured us he would appoint a team of project officers to oversee the regeneration of Dewsbury and any potential development, of which M&S were considered a key player. Either he's failed to keep his word or this saga has unravelled right under their noses due to gross incompetence. It's not good enough."
"We cannot allow this blatant neglect of Dewsbury to continue. I along with local people simply have no confidence in the council's ability or indeed desire to bring investment into the town."
Commenting on his planned meeting with Marks and Spencer executives, Mr Malik said he doubted if they would reverse their decision, but he felt it was vitally important that the people of Dewsbury understood how this was allowed to happen and how they could safeguard the presence of other major retailers in the town.
The Labour MP will also be meeting with local retailers and traders shortly to understand their concerns.
"There is plenty of talk and hot air coming from Kirklees but nobody seems willing or able to take ownership of the situation."
"It beggars belief that the council could have no idea that Marks & Spencer were planning to leave the town. Surely they knew months ago that a new store was being opened in the White Rose and it could affect the Dewsbury store."
"Questions have to be asked as to why relations between the local authority and major retailers have fallen into such a dysfunctional state."
"After two years as the local MP I honestly believe that had this happened in Huddersfield the council would have moved heaven and earth twice over to prevent M&S from leaving."
"Dewsbury people don't want favours, just fairness, and are fed up with being viewed as the less important and poorer relation to Huddersfield. The fact is that we pay the same council taxes as Huddersfield and all we ask is the same treatment that is received by Huddersfield - is that really too much to ask?"