THE MP for Eddisbury, which includes Malpas and Audlem, has back the government's latest plan to support high streets across the country.

The government’s new Build Back Better High Streets Strategy, setting out how high streets will be transformed into thriving places to live, work and visit after the pandemic was a key part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s landmark Levelling Up speech on Thursday.

Edward Timpson backed Mr Johnson's speech which included pavement licence extensions, allowing councils to take over vacant buildings and change the aesthetic of the high street look.

It will also be easier for people to hold street parties and picnics during national celebrations like the Euros and Commonwealth Games, as well as for Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, encouraging local events so that communities across the UK can come together and celebrate local culture with pride.

He said: “I know how much people in Eddisbury treasure their local high streets, and as we emerge from the pandemic, I am determined to support their recovery so they can thrive in the long term.

“This high streets strategy will help to deliver that—supporting hospitality businesses with more freedoms to trade, encouraging local events so that people can come together and enjoy themselves, and giving local people a real stake in their community.

“At the last election I promised that I would work to regenerate and create thriving high streets across Eddisbury—and as we build back better, this strategy shows how the Conservatives are delivering on that promise.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick added: “With more funding for town centres and powers for communities to take a stake in their local area, we are delivering on our commitments to level up and cement real and lasting change for all areas of the country.”