aluncairns.co.uk

Local MP Alun Cairns has called once again on the Welsh Government to extend the St Athan Enterprise Zone to include Wales’ largest town – Barry.  He also suggests that the Welsh Government Minister should include a visit to the town as part of her Ministerial visit to St Athan.

In advance of the visit later this week by the Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science, Edwina Hart, the Vale MP was keen to point out the delay of almost a year to formally launch the Enterprise Zones around Wales by comparison to England. 

The Minister will be meeting with Hunter Flying Ltd, one of the businesses who have moved into the Enterprise Zone in St Athan in the last couple of months.  Barry was excluded from gaining the Enterprise Zone status – despite calls from Mr Cairns, businesses and local group PRIDE in Barry.

The Vale of Glamorgan is the poorest funded local authority in South Wales, and Barry misses out significantly as a result.  The Vale MP has suggested that if the Welsh Government extended the Enterprise Zone to include Barry, the town would be in a much stronger position to attract new jobs and prosperity to the area.

Mr Cairns said:

“Naturally, I am pleased that we are making progress at St Athan but am very sorry that Barry has missed out.  It wasn’t an either or option, St Athan and Barry should have been included in the Enterprise Zone. 

“I believe that the Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology & Science should visit Barry, and not just St Athan, so that she can gain a better understanding of the call being made.  The case for Barry as an Enterprise Zone is convincing, with strong support from residents and businesses alike. 

“I will continue to press the Welsh Government to extend the area to include Barry – to help regenerate the area and attract new employers.”

Tags: Barry, Enterprise Zone, St Athan