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Middlesbrough business leader responds to Economist jibe

A leading Teesside businessman and mayoral candidate has hit back at claims that Middlesbrough is failing.

In an article, The Economist claimed the fate of Middlesbrough, together with other towns such as Hartlepool, Hull and Burnley, was “sad.”

But Middlesbrough entrepreneur and mayoral candidate Andy Preston says the town’s future can be much better than its past.

The Economist report said: “That so many well-intentioned people are trying so hard to save them suggests how much affection they still claim.

“The coalition is trying to help in its own way, by setting up enterprise zones where taxes are low and broadband fast.

“But these kindly efforts are misguided. Governments should not try to rescue failing towns. Instead, they should support the people who live in them.

“That means helping them to commute or move to places where there are jobs - and giving them the skills to get those jobs.” Mr Preston, a local business and charity leader, who has promised to stand as an independent mayor when Ray Mallon steps down in 2015, says there are “amazing things” going on in Middlesbrough but the town’s future prosperity was in the people’s hands.

Middlesbrough-born Mr Preston, who runs business and charity activities in the town, played down the article, commenting: “The original piece doesn’t contain anything new and is based on crude historical data.

“But it does highlight some painful truths about the last three or four decades of steady decline.

“Nobody is doubting that we have some very significant challenges but Middlesbrough’s future can be so much better.

“There are some amazing things going on here, with the best of these being new digital businesses, our ground-breaking university and a fantastic college.

“Combined with the spirit of the people, all of these assets can help make the future much, much better than the past.”

Mr Preston, who was previously a highly-successful hedge fund manager, has worked with numerous local businesses and individuals to help Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation raise £500,000 for charities, community groups and apprenticeships over the past two years.

He recently led the successful campaign for Middlesbrough to retain the role of elected mayor when Ray Mallon steps down as mayor in 2015.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .