I went to this meeting, which was, apparently, organised as part of the FSB campaign "Keep Trade Local". Very briefly:
Michael Foster spoke about the state of the economy, the recession in general and how it is affecting local businesses and jobs. He backed the way the government was tackling the crisis.
Second up was Amber Rudd, who spoke mainly about the problems the british high street is facing and about the impact of supermarkets and how national chains are damaging to local economy. She is, incidentally, now heading the High Street Traders Association.
Third was Nick Perry, Lib Dem candidate, who, again spoke about the recession and how his party would tackle the problems.
Next was John DiPaolo, who very much agreed with Amber and stressed the importance of shopping locally and passing business to local companies. He also agreed that supermarkets and national chains should not be encouraged in the Hastings and Bexhill area because the area cannot sustain further developments.
Pam Brown spoke last and, agreeing with John and Amber, spoke mostly about town planning and how things have changed since the 60s.
Next was questions from the floor. These were mostly general questions about recession and how to deal with it. Some people suggested that parking in the town should be made easier and cheaper in order to encourage people to buy local. When we brought up the question of ASDA and large supermarkets in general, Michael Foster did not want to commit either way. He said that anything that will create jobs should be supported in Hastings. He further stated that demographics are changing and that supermarkets are a sign of changing times. They are what people want. Local business, he stated, is not just shops and other areas are thriving in the town with more offices being built, etc. He also said that those traders in St. Leonards and Silverhill who he had spoken to, supported the ASDA development as they believed it would bring more shoppers into the area. In particular, his barber is in favour.
Next, we pressed Brett McLean, the chairman of the local branch of the FSB on why he had supported ASDA in his interview at Arrow FM a few months ago. Surely, in his capacity as chairman he should be supporting the FSB campaign to "Keep Trade Local". He explained that he had been misquoted and edited and wrongly reported to have said these things. (I recorded what he said off the radio and he clearly said that he did not think that ASDA would affect local traders at all). He went on to state (although he made it very clear that this was his private view) that he would support anything that would create jobs in Hastings.
Discussions got a little heated at which point Mr. McLean called for order and directed the questions and answers into a different direction before calling a break.
We left during the break.