David Ruffley MP has today written to the Leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council, Councillor John Griffiths, calling a summit meeting with the Council and Bury St Edmunds retailers to discuss their concerns about trade in the town.

David met with some of Bury St Edmunds' successful independent retailers and traders on Wednesday 20 December and, after hearing their concerns, felt a high level meeting was necessary to establish a clear line of communication between the Borough Council and Bury's retailers.

The retailers David met were concerned by the lack of communication they receive from the Borough Council, a lack of car parking in the town, the disruption caused by the Cattle Market Development and how the Borough Council intend to promote the existing town to new visitors to the Cattle Market Development.

The full text of David's letter to John Griffiths is in the notes below.

David said:

'My meeting with Bury St Edmunds' independent retailers on 20 December was illuminating.

'We need to re-establish a clear dialogue between Bury's fantastic independent shop owners and St Edmundsbury Borough Council.

'I met with people who have put their own money into making Bury St Edmunds more successful.

'Therefore, I have today called on the Leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council, John Griffiths, to hold a summit meeting with a delegation of local retailers, led by John Deane-Bowers, which I will chair in order to discuss the concerns of local traders and to make sure that as Bury grows it does so to the benefit of everyone who has invested in this town.

'Independent retailers and traders are the lifeblood of our town and they deserve our unstinting support.'