Supporting the Economy

Leading the efforts to bring the Tour de France to Yorkshire is just one example of work I have done over the past ten years to boost our economy so that businesses can grow and create jobs across the constituency. It is important these efforts continue in the months and years ahead and I look forward to welcoming the Tour de Yorkshire to the constituency again this Summer!

I am a strong supporter of the Skipton and Ripon Enterprise Group which offers free mentoring to businesses in my constituency.  I was delighted to support their Ripon launch and the group now covers many towns and villages across the area including Skipton, Ripon, Settle, Sutton-in-Craven, Cross Hills, Ingleton, Bentham, Masham, Pateley Bridge, Grassington, Boroughbridge, and Northallerton. Some of the most successful business leaders in North Yorkshire offer free help and advice to other newer businesses on how to grow and expand.

I am very keen to support economic growth and job creation in our area and I was pleased by the announcement last year that the Government will invest £4,680,000 in Skipton as part of the Growth Deal programme to facilitate the development of a number of sites for housing and employment. I campaigned hard for this funding and it is great news for our area.

I am currently doing everything I can to help County Council and Department for Transport with the scheme to improve the A59 at Kex Gill- and I will continue campaign hard for them to get the funding they need to improve this vital piece of infrastructure in our area.

News

Julian Smith MP visits local gin distillery, Spirit of Masham

Mr Smith toured Spirit of Masham gin distillery and had a taste of the Gin experience that is on offer. He also saw how owners Carol and Derek transformed their distillery. They were the first in the country to apply to HMRC regardingmaking and distributing hand sanitiser.

Julian Smith MP visits local businesses as lockdown restrictions ease

July 3rd Julian Smith MP spent the afternoon visiting local small businesses in Skipton. He visited a number of local businesses along the high street which have re-opened after the outbreak of coronavirus, and are now welcoming customers whilst implementing safe, social distancing measures.

Julian Smith MP Visits Farmison and Co

Julian Smith MP visited Farmison & Co’s and received a tour of the new premises, a 50 thousand square foot site in Bondgate Green. The site is a new, state of the art facility, featuring a butchery academy, maturation rooms and a reference library of books about meat and butchery.  

Julian Smith MP visits Kendalls Farm Butchers

Julian Smith MP visited Kendall’s Farm Butchers, Pateley Bridge earlier this month. The business is a regional finalist in the 2019 Countryside Alliance Awards in the category of Butcher.  

Julian Smith MP praises award-winning cheesemonger

Julian Smith MP has welcomed the news that Courtyard Dairy, a cheesemonger in Austwick near Settle, has been announced as the winner of Countryside Alliance’s North of England Food/Drink award.

Julian Smith MP visits GoPrint 3D in Ripon

Julian Smith visited GoPrint3D in Ripon last week to understand more about the business and receive a tour of their premises. GoPrint3D are a printing business based in a business park just outside Ripon.