Shapps joins fight to ‘save’ Welwyn
A CAMPAIGN to promote struggling traders in Welwyn has won the support of MP Grant Shapps.
Mr Shapps visited The White Hart, in Prospect Place, on Friday to meet members of the campaign group Wonderful Welwyn.
The group was founded by village traders with the aim of improving business in the aftermath of the devastating Wellington pub fire in June.
Trade has dropped dramatically since the blaze, following the closure of Codicote Road and the introduction of a one way system through the village.
Mr Shapps praised the group’s determination to put Welwyn back on the map and promised to do all he could to help promote its cause.
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He added: “They are going to do a variety of things to get people to come to Welwyn including discount days and street events.”
Piers Lyon, the owner of The White Hart, is the acting chairman of Wonderful Welwyn.
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He told the WHT having Mr Shapps on board was a “great help”.
He added: “He has a lot of time for Welwyn and it is a good cause for him to support.”
Mr Lyon said the group had formed with two purposes in mind: to oppose plans to introduce a permanent one-way system in the village and to bring back the trade lost following the Wellington blaze.
He said: “We want to let people know that we are here and Welwyn is open for business as usual.
“We are trying to push that message as far and wide as we can.”
Mr Lyon also appealed for residents and businesses in Welwyn to get in touch to help restore the village to its former glory.
If you are interested in helping the campaign, email helpwelwyn@gmail.com
