New Tory District Council abandons Newhaven jobs (Lewes Liberal Democrats)

Lewes Liberal Democrats <info@leweslibdems.org.uk>

New Tory District Council abandons Newhaven jobs

October 6, 2011 9:46 AM

The Conservative led Lewes District Council has endangered a 40 year old small tyre business in Newhaven after it announced that council would no longer be using a local tyre service and instead opt for the a national company owned by Michelin, going against the council's pledge to support and protect local businesses within the district.

Arrow Tyres and its employees have already had to make sacrifices after their biggest customer the District Council pulled out. They now face a tough year trying to undo the damage that the council has done.

Lib. Dem. Newhaven Cllr Steve Saunders said "It's an appalling double standard .The Tories say they want to support regeneration in Newhaven, while at the same time putting small business's and jobs at risk. I will be asking Tory councillors whether their saving on this deal outweighs the potential loss of jobs".

"I suppose that we really shouldn't be shocked to see the Tories leaving Newhaven in the lurch. You only have to ask what the town has gained from the incinerator looming over us to see what they think of our town."

An Arrow Tyres spokesperson said "The impact of losing the Council's business has been enormous, we have made one Newhaven man redundant and everyone in the Company has accepted a 5% cut in salary in order to stave off a further redundancy.

Does it not seem bizarre to you that on the one hand the Council are trying at some expense to regenerate Newhaven and then on the other hand, they jeopardise the future of a company that has been based in Newhaven for over 40 years? Apparently, it has signed a commitment to the " National Procurement Concordat for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises", but I would challenge that commitment. It doesn't feel able however, to sign the FSB Small Business Engagement Accord".