COLUMN - My Melton with Kelly Davies
One of my closest friends is a very tough food critic.
If I ever wish to wind him up, all I need to do is send a picture of a dish from a Melton eatery that features at least one of the following:
1. Chips served in a mini-fryer basket.
2. A plank of wood used instead of a plate.
3. Peashoot garnishes are being used despite having absolutely nothing to do with the dish whatsoever.
His high standards have inspired me to discuss the idea of us being the Rural Capital of Food.
I feel we are at risk of losing that title.
Allow me to explain because there are two parts to this.
Part one is that the hospitality sector is in the thick of it.
Bills are going up due to the Labour government’s previous budgets and unregulated energy prices.
Spending power is lower, and our personal tax threshold is at least 5K lower than what it should be.
I’m hoping new Prime Minister Andy Burnham will help with this, given his Manchester background, but we’ll have to see.
Part two is the most concerning.
Further education college courses have been moved out of the town in recent years.
We are now at the stage where students in Melton, studying GCSEs, must choose between A-Levels or banking on a bus service that may or may not turn up.
How on earth are we supposed to train the next generation when businesses can’t afford to take on apprentices and there are fewer college courses locally.
We still have time to save our reputation.
If we vote for local representatives who prioritise supporting all of Melton’s fantastic businesses, we’ll create a culture where Melton’s prosperity is the priority.
If we use what little disposable we have to shop local, businesses will stay open.
We have a part to play, and small steps like these will keep Melton’s reputation strong long after we’re in the ground.
**Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced last week that pubs, clubs and live music venues in England will get a 20 per cent cut in business rates from April in a bid to help hospitality businesses.