PRESS RELEASE
GMB call on Thanet Council to abandon sale of small business workshops and come forward with plan to save jobs.
The priority must not be for asset disposal but for jobs. Thanet’s economy needs to be thoroughly regenerated to bring to the area new well paid jobs that are part of the economy in London and other areas of the country but this should not include disposing of areas where jobs already exist says GMB
GMB call on Thanet council to call off the sale of small business workshops in St Peter’s in Broadstairs which is putting the future of 22 small companies that operate from the site at risk.
Dane Valley Enterprise Units, which were established in 1985, has been included on Thanet Councils ‘Asset Disposal list’ and will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder.
Karen Constantine, GMB regional officer and Labour councillor in Thanet said, “This sale, which puts at risk the livelihood of 22 small business owners, must be stopped and the council must come back with a better plan to safeguard these businesses and jobs.
The priority must not be for asset disposal but for jobs. Thanet’s economy needs to be thoroughly regenerated to bring to the area new well paid jobs that are part of the economy in London and other areas of the country but this should not include disposing of areas where jobs already exist.
Average earnings in the area, at £24,150 per year, are well below those of London (£33,776) and the South East (£30,752) and comes at the bottom of the Kent league table. (See notes to editors for GMB average earnings press release)
Regeneration should be part of a much needed wider regeneration in East Kent. This will not happen by accident and requires a partnership between local and national government and between public and private sectors.
The people of Thanet have to demand that all elected political office holders in the area campaign for action from national and local government to lead the regeneration of the area to end the days of Thanet being at the bottom of the Kent league for pay.
I will lead the campaign for the gap between Thanet and other parts of the country, including London, to be closed.”