LEEK'S former town centre co-ordinator has broken his silence for the first time since being axed — and slammed his old employer Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.
Mike Cozens, who was responsible for attracting new businesses to Leek, was told by the council that his contract would be terminated at the end of January.
Mr Cozens, who also acted as a middleman for Leek’s current traders, said he was ‘livid’ and ‘appalled’ by the council’s decision and said it would be a ‘step back’ for the town.
He said: “I share the concern of the many businesses, both established and new, who think that the town is being put at risk by the decision to remove funding from the town centre co-ordinator project.
“The rationale for such a decision has never been made clear and vague assertions that the regeneration team will assume responsibility for activities performed by town centre coordinators is disingenuous. The people resource and skill sets simply do not exist and even the basics of providing ongoing support are not in place.
“At a time when businesses are facing such difficult trading circumstances and the town has the opportunity to consider how it may develop in coming years, it is curious that the council considers removing a frontline service which the business community is telling us it needs.”
When the council’s administration decided to terminate Mr Cozen’s contract, the idea was challenged by many opposition members who did not support the idea.
Mr Cozens has now revealed that he will continue working in the role on a voluntary basis with Leek’s Chamber of Trade — for as long as he is required.
The Chamber of Trade said last month that the decision to get rid of the town centre co-ordinator was a ‘major blow’.
Members have written to the council’s chief executive, Simon Baker, to ask what will be put in place to cover the loss of the role.
The council told Your Leek Paper that there would be a meeting on the issue, but in the meantime any enquiries should be sent to Perry Wardle, the council’s head of regeneration.