Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE MP visited Hearts Coffee on Swadford Street, Skipton, on Friday 27 March, to meet with owner Edwin Rothwell, who is also Director of the Heart of Skipton Community Interest Company (CIC).
During the visit, Julian heard about the CIC’s work to promote regeneration, support community initiatives, and encourage local participation in plans shaping the future of Skipton.
Mr Rothwell has been closely involved in the recently closed consultation on an investment plan for the town, and he updated Julian on his ongoing engagement with local groups and North Yorkshire Council.
Speaking after the visit, Julian said: “It was great to meet Edwin at Hearts Coffee and hear more about the positive work he is leading in Skipton.
“The Heart of Skipton CIC plays an important role in bringing people together, encouraging local engagement, and developing creative ideas for the town’s future.
“I am grateful for Edwin’s continued commitment to Skipton, and I will continue to engage with his work across the area to explore opportunities for regeneration.”
On Julian’s visit, Edwin said: “Community business is not-for-profit, it exists to reinvest into the local economy, the high street, and to take advantage of exciting devolution opportunities for Skipton by using Community Rights. Every flat white we sell fuels regeneration in Skipton.
To be visited by Sir Julian Smith is wonderful recognition of the work and community engagement that the CIC has undertaken so far. We need a positive, enabling, policy environment to allow community business to do more. I hope the CIC can drive a shift in the mindset of more public and private institutions to be more collaborative in empowering communities to drive economic growth, so it’s fantastic to have the engagement of our MP.”
