Lynne Featherstone MP announces winners of Independent Shops competition

Posted on 1st Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Picture Gallery here!

Lynne Featherstone MP took to the stage on Saturday to announce Brand New Start, Big Green Bookshop and Owen’s Food Store as the winners of the Hornsey and Wood Green Independent Shops competition!

The announcement took place at a summer fete event at Hornsey Town Hall.

Hundreds of residents joined the local MP at Crouch End Broadway, where local independent retailers exhibited and sold their products, and community groups displayed and engaged residents in their activities. There was also a local beer exhibition, games for children, hot food and a live band.

Since the local MP launched the competition in February, over 4000 votes have been cast by local residents across three separate categories: most attractive shop front, best customer service, and best overall independent shop.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“It was an absolute pleasure to organise and host this wonderful event. Our local independents are so important to Hornsey and Wood Green – keeping our high streets vibrant and diverse and giving us great choice.

“This competition aimed to give publicity and support to our most valued independents during these tough economic times. It is part of our broader campaign to help independent retailers and save our diverse high streets. For instance, The Haringey Lib Dems and I are also running a petition for 30 minutes free parking on our local high streets, to help our local retailers.

“I’d like to thank all of the shops, community groups, volunteers and the band, who participated and exhibited at the event and made it such a great success. And particular congratulations, of course, to the winners: Brand New Start, Big Green Bookshop and Owen’s Food Store!”

Winners and Runners up list:

Most attractive shop front:

1) Brand New Start (Hornsey)

2) Dunns (Crouch End)

3) W. Martyn (Muswell Hill)

Best customer service:

1) Big Green Bookshop (Wood Green)

2) T Jewellery (Crouch End)

3) The Garden Shop (Hornsey)

Best all round independent shop:

1) Owens Food Store (Muswell Hill)

2) Tomfoolery (Fortis Green)

3) Sally Bourne Interiors (Muswell Hill)

Supporting our High Streets

Posted on 21st Jun 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Here’s my most recent Muswell Flyer Article on supporting our local high streets

One of the best features of Crouch End, Highgate and Muswell Hill are their unique high streets. Instead of endless chain stores, we have a rich range of diverse independent shops, which add so much character to our local area – and I want to keep it that way!

We are going through tough economic times, and without the support of multinational head offices, many of our independent retailers are struggling.

The Labour-run Council hasn’t helped, either. They’ve raised parking charges on the high streets to a whopping £3 an hour – which puts off potential customers who want to stop and browse. One local resident contacted me and said: “I do not shop on the high streets in Highgate and Muswell Hill because of the ridiculous parking rates.”

A local independent retailer also contacted me and said: “I run 3 shops which have suffered badly from the huge increase in parking charges.”

That’s why the Lib Dems have been campaigning for reduced parking charges and for 30 minutes free parking across the Borough. The campaign has gained a great deal of momentum. The traders had already put together a 5000 strong petition calling for lower charges.

We now have a very large number of signatures in support of 30 minutes free parking. You can add your name here: http://eepurl.com/tvXkH.

Residents have been vocal in their support. Local resident Denis Jones said: ‘I feel that it would help trade in the Broadway. If there was 30 min free parking I would use the shops instead of going to free parking trading estates.’

The ruling Labour Group at Haringey Council remain stubborn. They have refused to change their parking charges to date. It is such a shame that they will not listen to residents and common sense arguments. Local residents and retailers really deserve better.

Nonetheless, the Lib Dems and I will carry on campaigning and pushing the Council to do more to help our local independent shops and high streets.

In other news – I have also been running a competition in my constituency to find the best local independent shops. The voting has now closed, but the results still have to be announced.

This will happen on Saturday 29^th June (from 11am – 3pm) at a summer fete style event on the forecourt of Hornsey Town Hall. There will also be a draw to see which lucky voter will win £100 to spend in the shop they voted for.

A number of our favourite shops and community groups have already agreed to have a stall and exhibit at the event, and there will also be games and face painting for children, snacks, music and picnic space.

This will be a fantastic community event, which will help promote and publicise many of our best independent stores. I hope to see as many of you there as possible!

Lynne Featherstone MP welcomes launch of Lib Dem ‘Million Jobs’ campaign

Posted on 19th Jun 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has today welcomed the Liberal Democrat Million Jobs Campaign, which was launched by Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg.

More than one million private sector jobs have been created since the Coalition Government came to power. The Liberal Democrats now want to create a million more.

This will build on what Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government have already achieved. Youth unemployment is down, and Business Secretary Vince Cable has overseen a record rise in apprenticeships, including 530 new apprentices in Lynne Featherstone’s constituency of Hornsey and Wood Green.

The million jobs have been created via investment in industry and employer incentives. To support jobs in manufacturing, for instance, £5.5bn extra has been invested into science, high-tech manufacturing and renewable energy.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander has introduced £2,000 cash back on National Insurance contributions for employers who take on more staff.

Local Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone said:

“The Liberal Democrats are building a stronger economy in a fairer society, enabling everyone to get on in life.

“That’s why Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government have helped businesses create more than one million private sector jobs, and now we’re working to help them create a million more.

“I look forward to working with local businesses, community groups and schools and colleges to turn this ambition into reality in Haringey.”

Lynne Featherstone MP welcomes pensions boost for 15,863 self employed people in Hornsey and Wood Green

Posted on 17th Jun 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Local MP Lynne Featherstone has welcomed the news that 15,863 self employed people in Hornsey and Wood Green will benefit from pensions reforms being debated by MPs this week, which will bring in a simpler, fairer state pension for future pensioners.

In the past, self employed people missed out on a higher state pension because they could not qualify for the second state pension, despite having paid National Insurance contributions all their lives. This left them in reliance on a basic state pension of just £107 a week.

Under the new system, introduced by Liberal Democrat Pensions Minister Steve Webb MP, anyone who has 35 years of working or caring will qualify for a decent, flat rate pension of £144 a week.

The reforms will also mean 750,000 women will get an average £9 a week extra within the first ten years of its introduction. The reforms will value unpaid caring work just as much as a high-flying city job.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I am delighted that these pension reforms, coming from a Liberal Democrat minister, will create a simpler and fairer state pension. For too long, hard-working self employed people and carers have been getting a raw deal, despite the incredibly valuable contribution they make to our economy.

“Now, the 15,863 self employed people in our area will be properly rewarded for their contributions and will not lose out later in life.

“This is especially good news as it comes alongside the Coalition’s triple lock, which has given pensioners the biggest cash increase ever in the state pension.

“I am proud to see the Liberal Democrats in Government restoring fairness and simplicity to our state pension system.”

A million jobs created, a million more to come

Posted on 16th Jun 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Work is the answer to so many things – outside of the most important ability to pay the bills – it gives all of us a place to be, a purpose, self respect and fulfillment. So jobs are at the top of the list of priorities and that is what LibDems in government are creating. Locally, we’ve helped treble the number of apprenticeships – vital extra help to give people in Haringey the skills that will help them, will help the community – and will help the economy.

Lynne Featherstone MP announces Independent Shops Finale

Posted on 16th May 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Local MP Lynne Featherstone has this week announced a ‘Summer Fete’ style event, to mark the end of her independent shops competition.

Over the past four months, thousands of votes have been cast by local residents across three different categories: Best shop front, best customer service, and best all round shop.

The winners will be announced at the event on Saturday 29^th June at Hornsey Town Hall square. It will be open to the public from 11am.

Over 100 local retailers have been invited to attend the event, and a number of them will be exhibiting their products on site. There will also be community group stalls, a bake off, a live band, food stalls, and games.

The Liberal Democrat MP will announce the winners of the competition at around 2pm, and also pick the name of one lucky voter out of a hat. They will receive £100 to spend in a shop of their choice.

Local residents can vote for their favourite shops until the 31^st May, when the competition closes.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“The response to the competition has been overwhelming. It is clear how much residents appreciate their local independent shops and retailers.

“During these tough times, it’s vital that we support and promote our independent shops and retailers. That is what this competition and event is all about.

“Time is running out for local residents to vote for their favourite shops – so please vote as soon as possible if you haven’t already!

“I can’t wait to get everyone together and announce the winners. It looks set to be great event, and I look forward to seeing as many local residents and retailers there as possible.”

Lynne Featherstone MP presents Employability Award certificates

Posted on 19th Nov 2012 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP last week attended an award ceremony run by 5E, a not-for-profit organisation with 7 training centres in North and East London.

5E provide accredited IT and vocational training, work-based learning and skills support for unemployed individuals and aim to improve access to high quality education and employment through training, enterprise and employment programmes.

The Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green presented certificates to local residents who have completed the Employability Award and made a positive change in their lives. Most of the recipients previously faced long term unemployment, and had a number of barriers to gaining employment which they are in the process of, or have addressed.

After the awards, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“It was a pleasure to present the awards, and also to congratulate 5E on the great work that they do in helping the recipients.

“In October 2012, 3,465 people in Hornsey and Wood Green were unemployed and claiming Job Seekers Allowance. It’s vital that these people have access to training and support to secure employment in these tough times.

“I wish 5E and its customers all the best for the future, and hope that many more certificates are presented in the future.”

MP visits Job Centre to hear of hard work in tough times

Posted on 24th Nov 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

To meet job seekers and the staff who work hard to help them get back into employment, Lynne Featherstone MP, on Friday, visited Jobcentre Plus in Wood Green.

The Western Road centre helps many of Haringey’s unemployed and manages to support almost half of the job seekers in finding new work within three months. Although the number of new jobs available has fallen by a third from a year ago, the centre has advertised close to 2,000 new posts since the spring of 2011. Most of the posts advertised are in sales, the care sector and marketing.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP heard from a group of job seekers about their experiences. She was also introduced to some of the centre’s many initiatives to help job seekers get back into work, including enterprise clubs to support new start-ups, apprenticeship schemes and help with the cost of travel and smart clothes to remove barriers to residents attending interviews.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“These are tough times and Haringey has a large number of job seekers who need the help and support of the Job Centre to get back into work. I have been really impressed by the team here at Wood Green; they work really hard to guide, motivate and enthuse local residents.

“The team helps with skills and CV development, so that jobseekers can really sell themselves in this tough job market.

“They also work closely with local employers to run work experience and apprenticeship schemes that often translate into more permanent jobs, and run an enterprise club to support residents in starting their own companies.

“So yes, it’s tough out there, and it’s good to see that help and support is at hand at the Job Centre. It’s been really encouraging to hear of the hard work of the team here at Wood Green.”