Comment from Paul Keetch, MP for Hereford.
I have been a Hereford United supporter since I was a young boy, following the fortunes of the Club since their "giant killing" days in the 70s.
The chance to take the Club into the 21st century and improve its ground and facilities is available now with the plans for the "Edgar Street Grid" coming together. Hereford United is at the heart of the area and serves as a focal point. It encourages visitors to the City who spend money in our shops, pubs and restaurants when coming to the matches.
I believe that all parties who are working on the Edgar Street Grid should engage and work much more closely together to find the best solution to the Club’s future, improve on community facilities and services and resolve how to most appropriately fund this.
I do not consider it appropriate to use tax payers' money to fund improvements to Hereford United alone as the Club is a limited company run by its Board of Directors. I do, however, think it appropriate for tax payers' money to be used to provide community facilities, such as a multi screen cinema, for example, to benefit residents and our local economy, which could form part of the Hereford United complex. I have already stated that another livestock market is not essential and that the £10 million Herefordshire Council say that will cost could be better spent on other much needed community facilities, like affordable housing which we are desperately short of.
If therefore a combination of these factors could be agreed by Hereford United, Herefordshire Council, The Edgar Street Grid Company Limited and Advantage West Midlands we could have a bright future and a vibrant City for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.
This is the joined up approach I have long advocated and will continue to press for as long as I am the MP for Hereford.
Paul Keetch MP
22 July 2009
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