David Ruffley MP addressed the businessmen and businesswoman at the Stowmarket Town Centre Partnership.

Mr Ruffley said: 'There has been a £75,000 grant given by Mid Suffolk District Council, Suffolk County Council and Stowmarket Town Council to the local Chamber of Commerce and local traders to project Stowmarket across the region as a great destination for shoppers and tourists.

The first time I came to Stowmarket was as a six year old in 1968. Stowmarket then was a classic country market town full of Suffolk character. Today it still is, but in many ways it is better; there is an intercity rail link as Stowmarket is on the London Liverpool Street to Norwich line. There is the most important A road in Britain- the A14, which joins the Midlands to the Continent and it is a road which I campaigned to get upgraded at Haughley Bends and Stowmarket. There is also a new relief road in Stowmarket which is improving traffic flow and reducing congestion.

I am pleased to see that we have renewed support from Mid Suffolk District Council who are helping to regenerate the very heart of the town. Ipswich Street is within a year of being given the go ahead for a full makeover.

At today's launch I want to announce that I am seeking a major new retailer to locate in the town. Being the Stowmarket MP I will take my case to the national retailers and I will be saying more on this topic in the coming months.'