Richard Holden, Member of Parliament for North West Durham, alongside his colleagues Paul Howell and Dehenna Davison, MPs for Sedgefield and Bishop Auckland respectively, have today written to the new Chief Executive of Durham County Council to meet and help the Council work with the Do Business Local campaign.

Last September Richard Holden MP and his Durham colleagues wrote to Mr Hewitt’s predecessor, Mr Collins, under the Labour-run administration, to back the campaign as it was first launched.

The #DoBusinessLocal campaign seeks to improve partnerships between local businesses and Durham County Council, as well as other large public bodies and private companies, to help them find great local suppliers that can assist their procurement needs.

The Do Business Network is trying to engage with the Council to improve their online procurement portal and more broadly is trying to raise awareness for procurement so as to benefit both public services and the wider local economy.

Since, with the Council no longer in Labour’s hands but under a new Joint Administration, with a new chief executive and the country now open for business, the three MPs are hoping to be able to set right any snags and get this campaign going again.

Commenting Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham said:

“The pandemic has been hard for small businesses, which are so dearly loved across our constituencies. I have been impressed by over 100 small businesses I have visited and I know how important the Do Business Network can be for them.

“With a new Joint Administration, a new Chief Executive and the Country powering ahead, I am keen to get push this campaign forward.

“I look forward to meeting Mr Hewitt and discussing how we can help sort some of the issues raised and push the campaign on.”

Commenting Paul Howell, MP for Sedgefield, said:

“One thing Covid has taught us is that supply lines are more robust when they are shorter, but what is also clear is that the more we buy local the more it helps our own communities and businesses.

“This campaign to remind everyone to support our local businesses could be critical to the survival of some and can only help our high streets.”

Commenting Dehenna Davison, MP for Bishop Auckland, said:

“It has never been more important for us to support our fantastic local businesses. This campaign will provide further support, on top of current local networks and Government financial support, to ensure our high streets bounce back quickly from the effects of this pandemic.

“It has been a tough year for many independent businesses and I look forward to getting to work on this campaign to help our local economy as best I can.”

For more information please email [email protected] or call Oliver Briscoe on 0207 219 5163


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