Menston MP Philip Davies has offered support for the ‘buy local’ campaign to be launched by the recently-constituted group of local businesses.

Christine Minchella, who runs The Studio, Menston Pilates and fitness business and who called the first meeting of the group, met the MP last month to discuss how he might help.

She said: “Philip Davies was very supportive and told me of the local business survey he had carried out in Menston as part of a wider survey across his constituency. The major problems identified by Menston businesses in this survey were parking and the high level of rates”.

Among the offers of help was the possible use of the MP’s volunteers to distribute Menston businesses’ publicity material when they were distributing his information leaflets in Menston.

They also discussed the possibility of opening up the direct road from the High Royds development to Bingley Road, Menston, to better integrate the High Royds community with Menston village.

Following the meeting, Mr Davies said he “warmly welcomed the shop local campaign” via his blog.

He said: “Local shops are a key part of the local community, and it is therefore essential for local people to use them to allow them to survive and flourish. I hope this campaign will help people appreciate and support the wide range of local businesses that are available in Menston.”

The next meeting of the group, at which it is hoped a name for the group and next actions will be decided, will be held upstairs at The Fox pub, Bradford Road, on May 14, starting at 6.30pm.

The campaign is about raising awareness and support for all the 70 businesses based in Menston.