Leader of House joins MP on visit to Kirkby Lonsdale as town recovers from fire

The Leader of the House of Commons has visited Kirkby Lonsdale as the town continues to get back on its feet after a devastating fire.

Lucy Powell MP spent a few days in the town to visit high street shops and find out how the community pulled together after the blaze in December in which a local businessman lost his life.

She was joined by Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, on Thursday.

They visited Dales Butchers who the day of the fire supplied food to help feed the recovery effort.

They also popped into local restaurant Number Nine, and discussed changes to business rates with the proprietors of Lunesdale Home and Garden, then met with local councillors Ian Mitchell and Hazel Hodgson, alongside council officers to discuss the future of Kirkby Lonsdale. 

"It was wonderful to show Lucy round Kirkby Lonsdale and to meet a few of the local businesses," said Ms Collinge.

"Kirkby Lonsdale has always been a lovely place to live, work or visit and despite the rain we were able to show just how fantastic the Kirkby Lonsdale community is.  

"I will continue to work with the local community and the council to support them and look towards the future of this beautiful town." 

Lucy Powell said: “It was important to visit Kirkby Lonsdale today to speak with Lizzi about the devastating fire which happened in December. 

“Lizzi has been working extremely hard with local businesses, residents and stakeholders to ensure that Kirkby is open for business as usual.  

“Visiting the site of the fire, it is clear the impact that it has had on the town, however I was pleased to hear the ways in which the community has come together through this time, both in the emergency and recovery phase.  

“I heard about the meetings convened by Lizzi in which local businesses were invited to workshop ideas for economic regeneration, and it is clear that Westmorland and Furness has also been a great supporter of Kirkby Lonsdale through this time.  

“I will be sure to take back these messages from Kirkby Lonsdale and spread the word that the town is open for business. Kirkby Lonsdale is such a beautiful place to visit and it was great to get a guided tour.”  

It was Ms Collinge’s third visit to Kirkby Lonsdale in a week having spoken at the Illuminate Festival of Ideas as well as attending other events.

The festival also welcomed famous scientist Dr Adam Rutherford who spoke about the real science behind genealogy and some surprising truths about family trees.  

*Ben Taylor, 45, died in the fire which broke out in apartments in the market town on the morning of Sunday December 8.

Mr Taylor's family's shop, GR and RD Taylor general store and army supplies on Market Street, was one of the premises damaged by the fire, and has since had to be demolished.

One other person was injured in the fire.

A number of local residents were also made homeless and other businesses were seriously affected, with some unable to trade since the fire.

In total, more than 100 residential properties and 84 business premises were directly impacted.