HEREFORD'S future is looking bright according to two Government ministers, with new businesses, the long-awaited university, and new funding to reinvigorate the city.
The Government announced Hereford was in line for a £22.4 million cut of its towns fund pot, which will see 15 projects go ahead, including electric buses and a revamped riverside.
Hereford MP and Financial Secretary to the Treasury Jesse Norman was optimistic about the future of the city centre itself, saying the new food businesses in particular took his fancy.
Speaking at the official opening of the refurbished wartime shell store at the Hereford Enterprise Zone in Rotherwas, Dr Norman said he was delighted at what had been achieved.
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Herefordshire Council said the 25 business "incubation units" were expected to create around 128 new jobs by 2023, rising to more than 450 by 2031.
The building was completely transformed from a dilapidated factory to a modern business facility, while the iconic roof and beams remain in tribute to its former use. Communities and local government secretary Robert Jenrick cut the ribbon on Friday, June 4.
He said the enterprise zone, now around 50 per cent full, was as a result of teamwork, and Herefordians had an ability to get behind an idea, like NMITE.
The new university said it would welcome its first students in September after some delays, but Dr Norman said NMITE was just one Hereford project to be excited about.
He also praised the work of the #StrongerHereford board which put the bid for the towns fund cash together after working with local groups and businesses.
He said the finished bid, which also included projects such as a new extreme sports park in Holmer Road, a new library for Maylord Shopping Centre and a refurbished Castle Green Pavilion, was a "complete triumph".
He said the £22.4 million from central government would support Hereford itself, but also the county.
"That's part of another step forward in a much wider project and strategy which Ive tried to push over the past few years.
"The last year and a half has been miserable, let's understand that and honour those who have died and those families who have been affected by Covid, that's absolutely right.
"I've seen it firsthand as a minister through the furlough scheme which I've been responsible for, and the other government scheme which have supported millions of people and hundreds of thousands of businesses across the county.
"I've also seen it through my wife who was running the vaccine procurement programme for seven or eight months.
"We've been Mr Tax and Mrs Vax, a very interesting experience.
"But out of that, I think there's a potentially great future for Herefordshire because if you could live anywhere, you would live here."
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When asked about new businesses opening in the city, such as The Yorkshire Wrap in Widemarsh Street and En BBQ at the Old Market Shopping Centre, he said: "The food scene in the city has been fantastic and transformed.
"I'm a very enthusiastic consumer of many of the products we're talking about, both coming out of the farm and in the cafes and restaurants.
"All of that is wonderful."
Secretary of State for Communities, Housing and Local Government Robert Jenrick said at the opening of the new shell store: "This was a derelict brownfield site and behind was an incredibly historical building but one which was in extremely poor condition.
"I think what the team here have achieved is phenomenal.
"Half of the site [Hereford Enterprise Zone] is now full of business, that's created thousands of well-paid and interesting jobs for local people, and has created investment into the wider region as well."
He added: "Of course we want to see more happen and we want to ensure that helps us to build back better from the pandemic.
"This building will play a part in that because it provides really high-quality space for businesses, it provides conference spaces, provides spaces for incubation of enterprises as they start their journey to, hopefully, bigger and better things in the future.
"I think the future is really bright for this site, I really praise the team that have made it happen, and the Government is here to support them in any way they can."
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