Macclesfield MP, David Rutley, has given his backing to local businesses, particularly those in the retail and hospitality sectors, as we move to the next phase in easing lockdown restrictions.

Local pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, B&Bs and hotels will be able to open from Saturday 4th July.

Local businesses involved in the newly formed Macclesfield Hospitality Action (MHA) and Sue Bowden, Chief Executive of North Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, recently met David to set out the support that they need locally to help recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

At the socially distanced meeting outside Macclesfield Town Hall, David heard from MHA members about how they are seeking support from Cheshire East Council, Macclesfield Town Council, Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership and the Government.

The operators asked for help to: boost public confidence; better utilise available outdoor space around hospitality businesses; and to provide shared spaces for local firms to hold pop-up events to encourage more people to spend time in Macclesfield town centre.

MHA members were led by Andy Thompson, from Macclesfield-based tech-support firm Zinc Technical Services and included local hospitality businesses Five Clouds, Rumba, Tempranillo and the Wet-Led Bar.

This recently formed group is working to help the town's active hospitality industry achieve a successful, safe and socially distanced bounce back for the community.

Mr Rutley explained to the group that the Government will be taking forward a new Business and Planning Bill in Parliament on Monday 29th June to introduce a series of urgent measures aimed at helping businesses get back to work safely and without delay.

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For the hospitality sector, he said the Bill will simplify licensing processes and cut red tape for many pubs, restaurants and cafes – allowing them to serve customers outside and increasing outdoor street trading.

After the meeting, Mr Rutley said: "It's time to give local businesses all our support over the weeks ahead, as we move to the next phase in easing lockdown measures.

"This is particularly important in the retail and hospitality sectors – many of these are small businesses.

"MHA are making an important case for enabling hospitality businesses to trade more easily in outdoor spaces and to make shared spaces available for local operators."

He added: "They deserve our support and this approach will also help regenerate the town centre and boost the local economy."