There are a few moments in your career as an MP that truly make you stop and think, "Is this really happening?"

Being elected to serve our community is one of them and remains the greatest honour of my life. 

Another came when I heard Stafford mentioned in the Government's budget – announcing £10 million of investment into our town centre.

After months of campaigning, making the case and pushing for our town, it was a moment of real pride. 

I've had a few questions in my inbox about the market, so I thought we could chat about it! 

Why did Stafford get the funding?  

When the market closed in 2024, we lost some of our town's identity, how can we be a market town without a market!

A demolished market in a market town became a powerful symbol of can happen when places are left behind, but I knew that my residents deserved better.

So, I started to campaign for funding to rebuild our market, I took a business case to the treasury to show them why this matters to our town, and how it will provide growth to our area.  

In the Budget, it was confirmed, Stafford will receive £10 million to rebuild our market.

This funding will build a brand-new market hall where the previous one stood.  

But, this is not simply funding for a building project.

It is a vote of confidence in Stafford's future.

It sends a clear message that towns matter, and that growth should not be confined to major cities.

If we want economic growth to reach every corner of the country, it must start with investment in the places where people live, work and raise their families. 

What was wrong with the old building?  

The previous market building was, put simply, unfit for purpose, it was vast, dark, and most of the time empty. 

Times are changing, particularly peoples shopping habits and reasons for heading to town.

With online shopping more convenient than ever we need fresh ideas to draw people in to spend time in our high street.  

We need to think big, and with this investment we can!

The new market hall will stand on the site of the old market, but it will be something entirely new.

It will create opportunities for local entrepreneurs, support independent traders and give residents and visitors more reasons to spend time in Stafford. 

Importantly, its success will not be limited to the market hall itself. Increased footfall will benefit the independent shops, cafés and businesses that already make our town centre special.

A thriving market has the potential to create a ripple effect across the local economy, helping Stafford become an even stronger destination for people from across the region.

This investment is about restoring pride.  

What will make this market hall different?  

If you've ever been to Shrewsbury, Macclesfield or Crewe, you will see the brilliant markets they have to offer.

They are destination spots, designed for people to spend all day in!  

Think artisan shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, and even a live performance space!

This will be a meeting place, a focal point for our community, and a reason for people to spend time in our town centre.

A new market, along with the wider town centre regeneration plan, we can restore pride in our area.  

We are a town full of hardworking, ambitious and generous people who care deeply about where they live, and we want a town centre that is busy, welcoming and full of life. 

Of course, one project alone will not solve every challenge facing our town.

But it is a significant step in the right direction.

It shows what can be achieved when communities have representatives who fight for them and when government recognises the value of investing in places that have too often been overlooked. 

For me, hearing Stafford named as a recipient of this funding was one of those unforgettable moments.

Not because it was a personal achievement after months of campaigning, but because it marked the beginning of a new chapter for our town. 

Stafford's story has always been one of resilience, community and determination.

With this investment, we have the chance to write the next chapter together and ensure that our market town once again becomes a place that people are proud to visit, proud to invest in and, above all, proud to call home.