Mark is supporting a campaign to secure more government support for garden centres and nurseries during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Mr Pritchard has added his name to a letter being sent by a group of MPs to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - The Rt Hon George Eustice MP - calling for:
- A £250 million support package to ensure that garden centres have enough capital to invest in future stock;
- A 10 year period for garden centres to pay back business interruption loans (a 4 year increase on the current loan terms); and
- Garden centres to be allowed to re-open as part of the first wave of the relaxation of lockdown restrictions
Pledging to support the campaign, Mark Pritchard MP said:
“The horticulture industry is an important part of our county's rural economy. In many cases, garden centres and nurseries are family businesses which have served their local communities for many years and their products bring enjoyment to millions of people as well significant employment".
"Unlike some other businesses, garden centres and nurseries do not have stock which can be stored for long periods. The Covid-19 outbreak leaves them facing the prospect of having to destroy their current stock but without the money to buy in new supplies once they are able to re-open. I am calling on the Government to intervene to ensure that this important sector can continue to trade once lockdown restrictions are relaxed."
