Prime Minister says: "Happy Birthday Harlow!"

As regular readers will know, Harlow New Town celebrated its 65th birthday in the last few days.

That's why I was so delighted to get a letter in the post this morning from the Prime Minister, David Cameron MP.

As you can see from the photo above, he wrote to congratulate Harlow on its achievements, not least in becoming one of the first Enterprise Zones in the whole country.

This is the second time as many months that the Prime Minister has praised Harlow for being one of the most entrepreneurial towns in Britain.

As you can see from this video, in response to my question, he has also said:

"I congratulate Harlow on the fantastic achievement that they have. The Government wants to play it's part, not least by the Enterprise Zone in West Essex, thats covering Harlow, and we hope it will create 5,000 new jobs."

He joins Amy Childs from The Only Way is Essex, and the Sun newspaper, to praise Harlow for its booming small businesses. You can read all about it HERE.

by Robert Halfon MP - Working Hard for Harlow.

AMY CHILDS: "The only way for the economy is Essex"

As regular readers know, last week I asked in Parliament about booming small businesses in Harlow.

Prime Minister David Cameron even replied: "The only way is Essex!"

TOWIE star Amy Childs (pictured above) has now written about it for The Sun. Her article follows below:

Harlow is powering ahead despite tough times. And TV's TOWIE has been credited with sparking a £1.4 billion High Street bonanza.

The economic recovery in Essex has been massive. The recession is very bad but doesn't seem to be hitting Essex as badly. I hope other counties will see as much success.

At the weekend the High Streets are full of people in restaurants, shops and salons.You can't move on Brentwood High Street. People must be thinking: "What is the point of saving for a rainy day when it's raining every day?"

Essex is now a tourist attraction. Since the show started it has got a million per cent busier.
People want to do the tour, there are tour buses on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

I've had a few guys in my salon who had seen the show in Australia, now it is going to America too.

Booming ... Essex has seen a huge increase in tourism

Yesterday I went to an Italian restaurant in Essex and the staff had never seen business so good in 11 years.

There is a nine-week waiting list for my salon. I feel very lucky. But even before the show aired, I worked at a salon and it was always busy because girls here really look after themselves. They want to look nice even if times are tough.

In the current climate I am careful with money but do spend it on looking good.

In a recession girls will turn to a manicure as a cheaper pick-me-up. They might not be able to afford having their hair done but may afford that smaller thing. As a businesswoman you have to offer things people can afford. I have offers aimed at the recession, like little pamper packages.

Down the High Street in Brentwood there are about 15 salons and I go in to see what their prices are and whether I am too expensive.

I hope other counties can be helped by the success of Essex. I would like to open franchises of my shop all over, in places like Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool. I've always been proud of Essex and hearing David Cameron talk about Harlow being helped by the Towie effect is mental.

I met him once and wanted to say: "Come to Essex and see how successful the businesses are." But he had security around him.

With Chelmsford having become a city this month, it's a good time to be an Essex girl and I hope the rest of the country can follow our example and have similar success.

by Robert Halfon MP - Working Hard for Harlow.

VIDEO: David Cameron praises Harlow as top place for business in UK

 

Today, I asked a question to the Prime Minister, after the news that Harlow is now the NUMBER 1 place to start a business in the UK.

David Cameron's reply was: "The only way is Essex!"

Watch the video above, or please read it below:

Robert Halfon (Harlow): Is the Prime Minister aware that Harlow has the highest business growth in the whole of the United Kingdom. Thanks to a Conservative Council that is open for business, and a Conservative led Government that has invested in an Enterprise Zone, increased apprentices and cut taxes. Will the Prime Minister come to Harlow so we can show Britain how to lead the economic recovery?


Prime Minister (David Cameron): In danger of being accused of watching too much television, I think you can summarise this question by saying the only way is Essex. I know he speaks up for his County. What I would say, I congratulate Harlow on the fantastic achievement that they have. The Government wants to play it's part, not least by the Enterprise Zone in West Essex, thats covering Harlow, and we hope it will create 5,000 new jobs.                

by Robert Halfon - Working Hard for Harlow.