George Osborne MP

George Osborne MP visited Wilmslow to hear more about the Winter Wander Round, the gingerbread hunt organised by some of the town’s independent businesses.

George visited Steve’s flower stall on Grove Street; unfortunately his gingerbread man hand been blown away in a storm that had nearly taken the stall with it! He then went to Willow Tree Bears to meet organisers Kate Johnson, Jane Williams of Hawthorns Deli and Natassia Burton of Stowe Family Law.

George said: “I wanted to get behind this brilliant idea by Jane Williams and others, and the whole town should congratulate them. It has done a huge amount to promote local small businesses and bring families to Wilmslow to do their Christmas shopping. It’s all part of our efforts to help the high street.”

Jane Williams, of Hawthorns Deli, said “He seemed very enthusiastic about the idea and was very keen to hear all about how we have tried to involve not just local businesses but the community too, with schools, churches and local organisations taking part. He enjoyed posing for photographs with our gingerbread man mascot and with local children who have taken part in the treasure hunt.”

Claire Holliday, whose daughter Eva met with George Osborne today, commented “Our whole family has thoroughly enjoyed the Wilmslow Winter wander Round. We have spent two enjoyable Saturdays together as a family searching for gingerbread men and collecting goodies! What a fabulous idea! I have discovered shops I walk past every day and have never been in, bought lots of things I would usually have travelled to buy and met some very friendly shop keepers! We ate and drank ourselves round wilmslow too! It has really encouraged me to think local before travelling to buy things. Thank you so much to all the shop keepers for their participation and friendliness.”