Richard Foord MP calls for rethink to “rejuvenate” market towns, as Mid- and East Devon miss out on funding

During a parliamentary debate last Tuesday (4 March), Mr Foord paid tribute to six towns across his constituency – Axminster, Cullompton, Honiton, Ottery St Mary, Seaton and Sidmouth - all of which have special and important features and would significantly benefit from the £20m per area designed to ‘tackle deprivation and turbocharge growth.’

£20m each for 75 areas, but just one in the South West

The UK Government announced last Tuesday that it was going to award £20 million to each of the 75 areas selected across the UK. But the only community in the whole of the South West region earmarked for funding was in south Devon.

Mr Foord said: “Many businesses and organisations in market towns across Mid- and East Devon feel abandoned by successive governments and the distribution of additional funding has meant the South West and Devon has been almost entirely forgotten. Funding for vital local projects would revitalise our towns and ensure they are fit for the future.”

Mr Foord has long called for better funding for towns in the South West, and has described the region as “abandoned by the government.” Consistent with that, the Government announcement about the so-called ‘Plan for Neighbourhoods’ had the South West as the lowest recipient of funding by region, behind ten other nations and regions of Great Britain.

In Parliament, Mr Foord has demanded better funding by the Government to “rejuvenate market towns” in Mid- and East Devon.

In a debate last Tuesday (4 March) Mr Foord spoke warmly of the six market towns located in the area that he represents: Axminster, Cullompton, Honiton, Ottery St Mary, Sidmouth and Seaton.

He has been a champion of market towns since his election win in 2022. That summer, he visited a Honiton maker of a lace jabot and cuffs with the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsey Hoyle. The Speaker then wore them at King Charles’ coronation in 2023.

Historical significance of market towns in South West England

During the debate last Tuesday, Mr Foord talked about how market towns “tell a story of resilient, creative and proud communities”. He cited Ottery St Mary - one of Devon's oldest market towns – and its tar barrels festival; also Axminster, for its fine carpets.

Following the debate, Mr Foord highlighted how market towns need investment in order to flourish in future. He said: “Market towns are the hubs for our communities, and provide us with much of our history and culture. We have a rich heritage here in Devon, but we can’t rely solely on that for future prosperity. We need investment in projects such as Cullompton railway station, so that people can both learn more about our history, and contribute to their future.”