Wrexham’s MP welcomes UK Government Sports Minister on a tour of Wrexham AFC

Wrexham’s MP was joined the UK Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage for a tour of the town centre and its businesses last week.

During the visit Sarah Atherton and the Minister, Nigel Huddleston accompanied members of Wrexham Council on a tour of Wrexham AFC led by Director of Wrexham AFC, Spencer Harris.

Following the tour, the Sports Minister enjoyed some time pitch side before joining Mr Harris and the members of the Council in the board room to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on Wrexham AFC as well as the club’s community engagement, such as becoming the first club in Wales to achieve Autism friendly status.

Director of Wrexham AFC, Spencer Harris, said: “When we were made aware that the Sports Minister was to visit Wrexham and wished to visit the Racecourse Ground we were very keen to take up the opportunity.”

“This was an important visit for Wrexham AFC as it provided an opportunity to showcase the role Wrexham AFC plays at the heart of the North Wales community as well as to discuss the effects of coronavirus and how Government can support Wrexham AFC through the pandemic.”

Commenting on the visit, Sarah Atherton MP, said: “Bringing the Minister of Sport to see the Racecourse Ground was very important to me.

“This club is not only central to the town, but is also run in a responsible way, which other clubs would do well to follow.”

“We discussed the effect of coronavirus on ticket-sales revenue, and what the Government can do in partnership with HMRC to support the club through 2020.

“It was also a good opportunity to show the Minister the plans for the new stand at the Kop end, as we look forward to seeing the Racecourse transformed into a 15,000-seater stadium over the next few years.”

The Minister also visited Wrexham’s high street to see sites that have benefited from the National Lottery’s Townscape Heritage Initiative.

He was shown the Butchers’ Market by Wrexham Council’s Tourism and Destination Manager, Joe Bickerton, and Andrew Harradine, Regeneration Project Manager.

In the last year, more than £1.5m has been secured to help renovate and regenerate historic buildings in Wrexham town centre with the National Lottery funding being used to enhance more than 30 buildings earmarked for improvement within the Town Centre Conservation.

Also joining the visit was Wrexham County Borough Council’s Lead Member for the Economy, Cllr Terry Evans, who added: “Our aim with this work has been to focus on the historic core of Wrexham town centre, complementing existing wider ongoing regeneration projects.

“The award last year was another great boost for our town centre and the work which will take place over the next few years will help preserve some of our most iconic heritage features around the conservation area of our town centre.”

Sarah Atherton MP, said: “It was a pleasure to be able to highlight some of what Wrexham has to offer to the Minister, and to take a look at the ways in which the town has directly benefited from the Townscape Heritage Initiative.

“All round, it was day to champion Wrexham’s heritage.”

Top image via Gemma Thomas/Wrexham AFC