Last Friday saw my first weekly surgery of the new Parliament which I held for the first time in Midhurst.
Readers may be aware that the newly redrawn boundary of the South Downs constituency now includes communities such as the Hartings, Fernhurst, Rogate, Lynchmere, Midhurst and the Lavant Valley villages.
Whilst in the busy town - which was in the midst of final preparations for Sunday's Polo Gold Cup - I took the chance to talk to shopkeepers and businesses about the local challenges. Central to these remains the future of the site of the Angel Inn Hotel in respect of which I have undertaken to work with all stakeholders as MP and try to encourage a much needed solution after many months of waiting.
High Street traders also feel strongly they need support from Chichester District Council with making parking cheaper and easier - something I have campaigned for.
Despite these headwinds, it was great to see so many excellent local businesses and exciting to meet with Michelin chef and local entrepreneur Stéphane Jacob, owner of The Midhurst Bakery, who plans to open The Midhurst Restaurant in the coming weeks. I look forward to meeting many more in time, but it was also good to meet Freya Parles of Wizzbits traditional toy shop, James Macgregor of Stockley's Outdoor and Equestrian, Sam of Michael Courtney butchers, and Kemal of the dog friendly Kemaelli’s cafe.
I also visited the Scott Memorial Garden at the Midhurst Community Hospital, and I look forward to meeting with the Midhurst Green Volunteers to discuss how I can support them in maintaining the space.
Finally, I met with the chair of East Dean Parish Council, Neil Georges, and a team of Southern Water engineers to discuss the unacceptable flooding the village pond and local chalk stream suffered from last year and the current remediation work that is nearing its conclusion (at Southern Water's expense) to prevent a similar occurrence.
