INDEPENDENT businesses in Worcester shared tales of the challenges posed by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis with the Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski.
Mr Polanksi arrived in the city on Saturday (June 10) to offer the national party’s praise to Worcester Green Party campaigners who make-up the second largest party at the Guildhall and share leadership of the council.
And speaking at a thank you ever for activists and supporters, Mr Polanski said May’s results showed the party had ‘the wind in their sails’.
“Across the city they won more votes than any other party and with ten councillors are now the second biggest party on the council,” he said.
“I’m pleased to see Worcester Greens leading the way in a collaborative council involving all the parties working for the best interests of local residents.”
Newly elected city councillor and Worcester’s parliamentary candidate, Tor Pingree, said: “We did well in the last elections because we took the time to listen to residents.
“Often people only see their councillors just before an election when they want your vote,” she added.
In addition to the event, Mr Polanski talked to local independent businesses to hear first-hand the pressures they are under with the cost-of-living crisis and the lasting effect of the Covid pandemic on city centre footfall.
Among those at the thank you at The Granary in St Martin’s Quarter was aspiring Green council candidate Jon Bodenham
“Our city centre has fared a lot better than many other areas but it’s really important to keep promoting the very many small and independent shops and cafes that make Worcester an interesting place to visit,” he said.
“A pound spent in a local shop is far more likely to stay in the local economy than a pound spent online or with a large national business.”
