3/15/2021

Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, enjoyed a whistlestop tour of the Pavilion Shopping Centre on Friday, where he learned about the plans to help local retailers thrive.

Mr Sunak visited the region following announcements that Darlington was to become a second headquarters for the Treasury and that Thornaby is to receive £23.9million from the Government's Towns Fund to boost regeneration.

Mark Horsfield, centre supervisor, showed the Chancellor the new Pavilion Place, the new microshops venture that has already signed up 13 ambitious, local retailers and discussed the exciting new ideas for the centre.

"Mr Sunak was impressed with the microshops concept and how we are supporting newly set-up businesses that want to take the next step up into retail," he said.

"These are exciting times for Thornaby and it was great to discuss with the Chancellor and our local MP, Matt Vickers, some of our ideas to make the Pavilion Shopping Centre a thriving place for all of the community once we come out of lockdown."

Pavilion Place is springboard for newly set-up businesses and all stalls are being offered on a one-month rolling contract at a set price of £80 per week, inclusive of all utilities.

There is also a guarantee that no rents will be charged if lockdown rules changed, forcing the retailers to close their doors.

Anyone interested in finding out more details about having a stall at Pavilion Place, should contact Mark at: centresupervisor@thepavilionthornaby.co.uk