David Ruffley MP has today summoned Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Manager, Steve Peters, to a meeting to discuss the role of independent retailers in shaping the future of Bury St Edmunds.

David and John Deane-Bowers, the owner of Trotter & Deane, will meet with Mr Peters on Friday 23 March.

A summit meeting between independent retailers in Bury St Edmunds and representatives of St Edmundsbury Borough Council organised by David Ruffley took place on Friday 2 March.

It was arranged at the meeting that the independent retailers, led by John Deane-Bowers, would meet with Town Centre Management as part of its ongoing reorganisation.

It was agreed that Town Centre Management may provide the correct platform through which independent traders in Bury St Edmunds can help shape the future of the town.

David said:

'I am pleased to say that the meeting I organised between St Edmundsbury Borough Council and some of Bury St Edmunds' fantastic independent retailers was a great success and was a firm step towards improving the dialogue between the council and the town's traders.

'It was agreed at the meeting that the reorganised Town Centre Management may well be the best way for local retailers to shape the future of our unique market town.

'I have, therefore, summoned Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Manager, Steve Peters, to a meeting with myself and John Deane-Bowers to determine how best to move forward

'During my tour of retailers in the town it was clear that the Town Centre Management was not doing enough to make itself known or give voice to the people it should be representing. I will be demanding firm assurances from Mr Peters that he will be fully involving the traders who are the lifeblood of our town in the future decision making process and the future shape of Town Centre Management.

'I look forward to meeting with Steve Peters and establishing a clear framework for the involvement of independent retailers in Town Centre Management.

'Independent retailers put their own money into making our town more successful and their expertise should be an integral part of ensuring that Bury St Edmunds moves forward and becomes the finest market town in the UK.'