Mark Pritchard MP pub group boss pre-budget

Wrekin MP, Mark Pritchard, has met with Richard Colclough, Managing Director of Parogon Group, at The Red House in Lilleshall to discuss what Shropshire’s hospitality sector needs from the Autumn Budget.

Parogon Group owns 12 pubs and restaurants across Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire, employing 650 people.

In Telford, these include Willow at Southwater, and The Red House at Lilleshall.

The visit follows the pledge by the Conservatives to scrap business rates for high street shops and pubs if they win the next election.

Following the visit, Mark Pritchard MP said:

“It was good to meet Richard Colclough, Managing Director of Parogon Group to discuss the importance of Shropshire’s hospitality and leisure sector to the local and national economy.

“At the Budget later this month, it is vital that the Chancellor does not put more cost pressures on businesses so they can reinvest, expand, create new jobs, and help deliver the growth the government says it wants to see.

“I am pleased to support the Conservative plan to scrap business rates for high shops and pubs, which would be a huge boost for Shropshire’s economy.”