Minister to meet local businesses to hear about challenges

Business minister Michael Fallon will be in Shoreham on Thursday to talk to local businesses

BUSINESS minister Michael Fallon is coming to Shoreham to hear about challenges facing local businesses.

Mr Fallon, minister of state for business and enterprise, was invited by East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton to meet business owners and find out about their issues first-hand.

He will be at pie-maker Higgidy, in Dolphin Road, on Thursday, January 16, for a question and answer session with local businesses.

Mr Fallon is particularly keen to meet smaller businesses to hear some of the challenges they are facing and discuss what the Government can do to help.

Higgidy, which makes pies and quiches for retailers including Sainsbury’s and Waitrose, offered to host the event, which will be an informal occasion, designed to encourage a genuine discussion.

It will also be an opportunity to see behind the scenes at the business, which has been recognised in the past through an HSBC Business Thinking Award and the Sunday Times Fast Track 100, and listed by The Grocer in their Top 10 Brands to Watch.

Guests are invited at 6pm for 6.30pm, with the aim of finishing by 8pm. Refreshments will be available.

Mr Fallon will then go on to Tosca Ristorante, in High Street, Shoreham, where he will join East Worthing and Shoreham Conservatives for dinner.

An experienced member of the Government, he has served as a minister under Conservative prime ministers Margaret Thatcher, John Major and David Cameron.