Shop local and protect our high streets says Lib Dems

Manchester needs a huge boost to promote small businesses ahead of Christmas and stop the decline of our high streets. Manchester Liberal Democrats are calling on the City Council to get behind the first ever Small Business Saturday campaign on 7 December. Small Business Saturday has been massively successful in America where it has encouraged people to shop and eat local on the busiest shopping day of the year.

On Wednesday Manchester Liberal Democrats are putting forward a Council Motion asking the Council to back and promote the campaign, support local businesses and learn lessons from the day. The motion also asks for a report on how the Council can ease the pressures high streets face from pay day loan companies, bookmakers, pawnbrokers and businesses too reliant on the night time economy.

Chorlton Lib Dem Councillor Victor Chamberlain, who is putting forward the motion, says: “Small Business Saturday is a fantastic way of supporting Manchester’s small businesses and recognising the massive benefit they bring to our communities and the thousands of Mancunians they employ.

Many of our small businesses are facing huge pressures and we’re seeing the impact on the high street. Too many high streets are blighted by pay day loan companies, bookies and excessive takeaways and licensed premises. Our motion is calling for the Council to learn the lessons from Small Business Saturday so it can continue to support local shops and business people.”

The Liberal Democrat motion is Item 10 on the Council’s Agenda: http://www.manchester.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/1916/council

For more information on Small Business Saturday see: http://www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturdayUK

Local Authors Night

Chorlton Library Listed

Chorlton Library in 1951 (c) Manchester Libraries

You may have seen this story from the Manchester Evening News confirming that Chorlton Library has recieved Grade II listing from English Heritage.

This is fantastic news and  is the result of Chorlton Lib Dems' year long campaign to protect the Chorlton landmark after it's future was thrown into doubt by City Council plans. John Leech MP even raised the issue in Parliament.

I am delighted that Chorlton Library has been given the recognition and protection it deserves. This is great news for Chorlton and our heritage. Our Library is an architectural and historical gem of Manchester. It is a real local landmark and loved by Chorlton residents and visitors.

The Council has thrown the future of the building into uncertainty with its plans to relocate library services. By selling it off to developers the building's importance could be lost. Thanks to the listed status the building has received vital protection and will continue to be loved and enjoyed for decades to come.

Next year marks the Library's Centenary. I can't wait to celebrate it with other local residents. Getting Listed Status for our Library is a brilliant birthday present.

Manchester Evening Mail marking the opening in 1914

The City Council are planning to vacate the current building and build a new joint Library and Leisure Centre. As part of this plan the Council will give the current Library building away to property developers to help cover the costs. Whilst there is not currently any specific threat to the building its future is uncertain once it has been given away. Thanks to the new listed status the building's exceptional architectural and historic interest has been aknowledged and listed building consent must be applied for in order to make any changes to which might affect its special interest.

BIKE MARKING EVENT IN CHORLTON

Greater Manchester Police will be running a BIKE MARKING EVENT IN CHORLTON!
26.06.13 Between 17:30-19:00hrs.
Chorlton Library on Manchester Road.
Come along with your bikes!

VAT Workshop at Chorlton Library

Save Chorlton Baths

Chorlton Liberal Democrats have slammed Labour Town Hall Bosses for U-Turning on an election promise to build a new swimming pool in Chorlton.

Labour Council bosses propose to close Chorlton Baths for good in 2015 and move swimming facilities to Hough End (probably near Princess Parkway Matrolink stop). However before the last election Labour promised to combine the Baths and Library in a new building in Chorlton centre.

Chorlton Lib Dem Cllr Victor Chamberlain said: “Many people will find it difficult and expensive to get to Hough End, especially those with families or on fixed incomes.

“Many people come to Chorlton to go swimming and support our shops afterwards. I’m worried the Council’s proposals could also hurt Chorlton’s independent traders as there will be
significantly less footfall.”

Chorlton MP John Leech added: “Labour’s proposals also undermine the long term viability of
the proposed joint Library and Leisure Centre. Because most people only use the Leisure Centre to go swimming.”

Please sign our petition to keep Chorlton Baths and join our campaign to have this daft decision overturned.

http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/chorltonbaths

Save upto £250 on your Electricity and Gas Bills #gmfairenergy

GM Fair Energy: Reduce your gas and electricity payments:
Friday 25 January 2013 10am-12noon at Chorlton Library
Bring a recent gas and electricity bill
www.gmfairenergy.com
Or you can call 0800 009 3363 GM Fair Energy
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Manchester is joining 15 other authorities in a scheme where households are 
encouraged to join a collective group that then auctions its power supply to 
secure the best deal. Around 60% of people don’t shop around for gas and 
electricity and never switch supplier: as a result they may be on high-cost 
default tariffs. Residents who sign up have nothing to lose – there's no 
obligation to take up the new price offer - and if they do take it, the 
switch will be done by the selected provider - they needn't take any action 
themselves, so it couldn't be easier.

Manchester residents will be able to sign up during January, and the City 
Council is actively encouraging people to do so with a major campaign. The 
campaign is very important as households may see a real difference to their 
energy costs, and the more people that sign up, the lower the tariff will 
be.

Registration is either on or offline, and in other areas, quite a large 
proportion of people have signed up offline, presumably because it's harder 
for those without web access to shop around. Signing up is quick and easy - 
you just give your basic contact details and a few details from a current 
energy bill. There will be drop-in sessions at Chorlton Library on Friday 
25 January 2013 10am-12noon

www.gmfairenergy.com

#gmfairenergy

Or you can call

0800 009 3363

Chorlton Enterprise Club

Let's get Chorlton Library Listed!

If you have seen the front page of this week's South Manchester Reporter (pictured below) you will know that I am leading a campaign to get Chorlton Library Listed. This week I submitted an application for Listed Building status to English Heritage. The City Council are planning to vacate the current building and build a new joint Library and Leisure Centre. As part of this plan the Council will give the current Library building away to property developers to help cover the costs. Whilst there is not currently any specific threat to the building its future is uncertain once it has been given away. Therefore it is important that our Library building is protected for future generations. 

The Library is without doubt my favourite building in Chorlton and I have really enjoyed researching its history. The Library was funded from a £5000 donation from Dr Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish-American steel magnate and philanthropist. It was opened just three months after the start of the First World War on 4 November 1914 by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Alderman McCabe. It was the first time a sitting Lord Mayor of Manchester had officially visited Chorlton. The Building was designed by the first City Architect of Manchester, Henry Price, who also designed the Grade II listed Didsbury Library and many other Manchester landmarks like Victoria Baths. There is a fascinating story that the original plans for the building sent to Dr Carnegie were lost in the North Atlantic on-board The Titanic.


I have my fingers crossed that English Heritage will see the historical and architectural merits of the building and protect it well into the future. Please let me know if you have any additional information or documents that may support the bid.