Bacta has kicked-off its pre Party Conference political engagement programme by staging meetings with three North-West based MPs in their constituencies.

National President John Bollom accompanied by Bacta members including Kevin Farnsworth representing the Admiral Leisure AGC in Whitehaven, Mike Brown, Managing Director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Stuart Murray, Blackpool Piers and Justin Prescott, Silcock Leisure Group met with their Labour Party MPs Josh McAllister (Whitehaven and Workington), Chris Webb (Blackpool South) and Patrick Hurley (Southport).

Arising from the post General Election initiative which saw the trade association systematically map members and their venues with constituency MPs, the meetings enabled Bacta to discuss key industry objectives including the reforms recommended in the White Paper, the role of AGCs in helping to regenerate high street economies and a review of stake and prize levels – all presented from the perspective of local business owners and employers.

Reviewing the programme Bacta President John Bollom said: “The mapping exercise was undertaken to help guide our political engagement and I am delighted to confirm that the practice has lived up to the theory.

“Putting Bacta members in front of their constituency MPs has provided a local dimension to our national arguments and has served to amplify core messages, in particular the central importance of getting the White Paper reforms, which enjoy broad cross-party support, over the line.

“During our meetings we were keen to underline how the industry is primed to support the Government’s economic growth objectives both on the high street and at the coast as part of a broader tourism strategy.”

“I would like to place on record my thanks to the MPs who took the time to meet with us and of course Bacta members Kevin Farnsworth, Mike Brown, Stuart Murray and Justin Prescott who helped explain the challenges facing the industry and how they impact local enterprise.”