Author: tom

Given that the local elections are just around the corner on May 2nd, we thought we’d try and find out about some of the local candidates. As we bumped into Chris Lloyd during his door to door campaigning, we thought we would start with him……..

What inspired you to become a councillor?

I first started campaigning at Rickmansworth School. I wrote an article for  the school magazine about the Liberals winning Rickmansworth, I organised a petition against Museum charges and I organised collections for many years for Save the Children Fund. I wanted to make a difference to the community I grew up in. I am passionate about Education as both my parents were teachers. I wanted the council  to introduce door step recycling. I was first elected onto Three Rivers Council in 1991. I have been active on the Leisure committee, Vice Chairman of the Planning Committee, Chairman of the Environmental Forum.

What is you association with Rickmansworth?

I have lived in the Rickmansworth area most of my life. I went to play group in Rickmansworth and attended Rickmansworth School. I play sport at William Penn. My father came to the area in the 1930’s to teach at Merchant Taylor’s. When I was Chairman of Three Rivers Council I visited many local schools, youth groups, community groups.

What are the most important parts of your manifesto?

I am standing for election to Herts County Council because I believe Rickmansworth is getting a poor deal from HCC. The Conservatives are allowing our roads and pavements to fall apart, failing to provide much needed school places and letting down the disabled and both young and old. Too much is decided at County Hall without taking any notice of local people. If elected I will listen to you and work with you in the best interests of Rickmansworth. TRDC Lib Dems have shown how services can be provided more efficiently and effectively by working together, sharing services with neighbouring authorities, sharing the council building with the police or sharing investment in local facilities. Please trust me with your vote so I can use my energy and commitment to work for the Rickmansworth community.

If elected as Rickmansworth’s County Councillor, I will:

• Listen, learn and serve
• Hold advice surgeries
• Visit all schools and community groups in the area
• Attend county council meetings regularly.
• Represent Rickmansworth to the best of my ability

What are your interests outside of politics?

I campaign and fund raise for Christian Aid, support the Chorleywood Literature Festival, watch amateur and professional theatre productions, occasionally attend the Rickmansworth Historical Society, I am a Saracens and Watford season ticket holder. I enjoy playing badminton, swimming and running. I was a Games Maker on the Olympic Park for the Olympics and Paralympics. I work in Hertfordshire as a Project Manager. I am married to Yvonne and we have three grown up children who attended local schools.

According to a recent article in the Watford Observer (link here) the former Rickmansworth police station site has been purchased by Lidl, the low cost German supermarket chain. This news has been met with dismay by many Rickmansworth residents, with a number taking to Twitter to voice their concerns. Are Lidl out of touch with the local market and making a mistake? Or is it what the people of Rickmansworth want and need?

An outdated ideal?

With its close proximity to London, period buildings and fantastic transport links, to many people Rickmansworth is the commuters dream. The sentiment on Twitter and other social networks is that Rickmansworth is ‘too good’ for a Lidl (the Primark of the supermarket world) but other than the price of houses and beer, is there anything particularly middle class about Rickmansworth?

A quick glance at Rickmansworth High Street would suggest otherwise. The JD Weatherspoon owned Pennsylvanian pub, famous for its low cost booze, is arguably the busiest in the town, and Iceland, another low cost supermarket, seems to have a steady stream of customers. There is also the recent boom of charity shops, which at five stores now even outnumber the ever popular coffee shops. There is even talk of another one opening soon. Do these factors indicate that there is a gap in the market for low cost supermarkets in Rickmansworth..?

Difficult times but all is not lost

Rickmansworth like the rest of England has been hit by the global economic downturn, which has had a profound effect on the High Street and the type of shops that it is able to attract. That said, there are some fantastic independents that are thriving whilst doing everything they can to make a real difference. Cinnamon Square and Dickens Wine Merchants are just two examples of the type of shops people expect to see in Rickmansworth. They are clearly popular but if they are going to flourish and attract other similar outlets to the town, they must be supported. This may mean spending a few pennies extra and taking some more time over your shopping, but if the whole of Rickmansworth makes an effort then maybe the recent swing towards low cost shops can be reversed.

As with any retail outlet, its success or failure is ultimately decided by its customers. Should the Lidl development go ahead it will be interesting to see whether it is used by the people Rickmansworth, or if, as the local Twitterati suggest, it is an under-used and therefore unprofitable  store that doesn’t last the test of time.