Town centre debate set for 25th March

12.00.00am GMT Fri 12th Mar 2010

Guildhall Regeneration Spokesperson, Cllr Richard Church (Lib Dem, Kingsthorpe), and Conservative MP for Northampton South, Brian Binley will go head-to-head at a public debate entitled 'The Future of Northampton Town Centre' on Thursday 25th March.

The debate is set to see the hall reach a capacity crowd. Members of the public and media wishing to attend should email towncentredebate@northampton.gov.uk to reserve a spot.

Tickets are limited to two per person to ensure as broad an audience as possible.

The debate arose following a Liberal Democrat motion to Council on 1st March. The motion, which puts the debate in context, can be see by clicking on to the Council's website:

http://www.northamptonboroughcouncil.com/councillors/ieListDocuments.asp?CId=242&MId=6104&Ver=4

Commenting ahead of the meeting, Cllr Church said:

"I am looking forward to the debate. There are big differences between Liberal Democrat and Conservative plans for our town, which must now be publicly aired.

"In recent weeks, Mr Binley appears to have contradicted his own position on town centre regeneration. In doing so, he has unintentionally or deliberately misled voters, many of whom might have supported him in the past.

"Since blaming the Borough Council for a string of local failures, many of which were down to the County Council, he has since revised his comments. On further scrutiny, at a full and frank public debate, I hope he will further revise his comments.

"We cannot continue to allow predatory supermarket and out of town retail developments to grab business from local retailers and the town centre.

"Liberal Democrats want to safeguard the town centre from ever more out-of-town retail development.

"Mr Binley wants to tear up the rule-book for the sake of our sports clubs, who we all support, with no regard for our town centre as it comes out of recession."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

What: Public debate on 'The Future of Northampton Town Centre'

When: Thursday 25th March 2010, 18.30-20.00.

Where: The Great Hall, The Guildhall, St Giles Square, Northampton, NN1 1DE

How: To reserve up to two tickets, please email: towncentredebate@northampton.gov.uk

Panel: Mr. Brian Binley MP, Cllr. Richard Church and Chair (to be confirmed)