Small business key to economic recovery

Carla Lockhart MP • January 23, 2022

Local MP Carla Lockhart has joined with Upper Bann MLAs Jonathan Buckley and Diane Dodds in welcoming Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA to the constituency for engagements with a number of local businesses, and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council. The Minister visited Kitchen Bakes and Statement Menswear in Portadown.

Carla Lockhart said:

 

“The Economy Minister, Gordon Lyons, is no stranger to Upper Bann and I have had the pleasure of his company in many engagements and visits to local business. Gordon is a great supporter of the family business, and the massive impact of the Spend Local NI scheme that he has managed as Minister has been a huge boost for our High Street. From speaking to local businesses the scheme has provided a great injection of cashflow that was so badly needed after lockdown and the impact of the pandemic in general.

 

We now need to see support for business for continued recovery, and in this regard it was good to both engage with Kitchen Bakes and Statement Menswear to grasp their ideas for future support, but also to engage with local Council to see how Council and the Executive can work in tandem to drive economic recovery and regeneration.

 

I will continue to champion the needs of our business community and am thankful for a Minister who shares my passion for jobs and growth in this area. I thank Gordon for taking the time to visit again and know it will not be long before we see him again here in Upper Bann.”

Share

By Carla Lockhart MP • October 9, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has accused DAERA Minister Andrew Muir of side-stepping his responsibilities and totally ignoring the concerns of the farming community he is supposed to represent.
By Carla Lockhart MP • October 9, 2026
Lockhart urges DAERA to adopt timely Lockhart urges DAERA to adopt timely bTB review conducted by AgriSearch
By Carla Lockhart MP • October 7, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has criticised the lengthy backlog for MOT appointments at test centres across Northern Ireland.
By Carla Lockhart MP • September 25, 2026
DUP Agriculture spokesperson Carla Lockhart MP has expressed concern following confirmation that Shamonda virus has been detected in cattle on the island of Jersey.
By Carla Lockhart MP • September 25, 2026
MP welcomes speculation that Burnham is set to revisit farm inheritance tax reforms
By Carla Lockhart MP • September 25, 2026
Lockhart urges livestock farmers to respond to Red Tractor consultation
By Carla Lockhart MP • September 24, 2026
SPeaking on the threat to mobilise Carla Lockhart MP said, “It was inevitable that when Sinn Fein don’t get their own way that the threats of violence and unrest would be rolled out.
By Carla Lockhart MP • September 17, 2026
Lockhart welcomes long-awaited Drumcree mediation and warns Irish Prime Minister against meddling
By Carla Lockhart MP • September 11, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed the defeat of the Assisted Dying Bill in the House of Commons, describing the result as “a great day for the protection of life.” MPs rejected the Bill by 286 votes to 270.
By Carla Lockhart MP • September 11, 2026
DUP Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs spokesperson Carla Lockhart MP has called on the Labour Government to match its words with action, following this week’s Back British Farming Day event in the House of Commons.