Cheshire town voters tell of election wish list

Joshua Lightfood works at a craft beer bar and would like to see beer duty cut

Warrington South is often viewed as something of a bellwether seat - usually but not always mirroring the wider national picture in general elections.

But with the nature of the seat now changed because of a boundary review, just what are the issues those in the area are affected by and what would they like to see the next government tackle?

Andrea Morley is from the Warrington Business Improvement District.

She told BBC Radio Merseyside the Cheshire town was doing well in comparison to others, but one of the main issues facing companies was business related crime.

Andrea Morley from the Warrington BID said businesses are concerned about crime

“On a retail level, we know that shops and retailers are really heavily impacted by shoplifting and there’s a variety of different shoplifters that we’ve never experienced before,” she said.

Ms Morley said she would like to see the next government bringing in more support to fight such crime .

The overall cost of living was affecting businesses too, she said.

“Last year, when we experienced mortgage rates going up, we saw a drop in footfall. Particularly for our businesses, there’s been a cost rise in food and energy costs and that’s impacted the leisure and hospitality industry,” she said.

Joshua Lightfoot works at the Hop Emporium, a craft beer bar inside Warrington Market.

He said their business was growing and will soon be expanding to have an outdoor bar at the site, selling more beer.

People at Warrington Market spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside

“I know bars are contracting but with being in a council building with favourable rents, that means we’re able to weather that a bit better, we’re growing year on year,” he said.

He would like to see a reduction in the beer duty, the tax that is paid on alcohol.

Mr Lightfoot said he believes the system has “hurt the breweries” and a lot of beer producers were folding - meaning less choice and the need to raise prices.

“We only raise them as much as necessary but at the end of the day, if people look elsewhere and decide to drink at home, it’s a real shame," Mr Lightfoot said.

“These places, these pubs and bars inside this market aren’t just places to go out and have a drink, they’re vital social hubs really and with us also having a bit of a mental health crisis it's also a bit of a disruption to our local community social fabric,” he said.

Peter Astley wants to see more recognition of sport in the community

Peter Astley, from the Warrington Wolves Foundation, a charity linked to the town’s rugby league team.

He would like to see the next government show a “recognition that sport is very powerful.”

“Not just in terms of your Liverpools, your Manchester Uniteds, your Warrington Wolves, your St Helens - but actually grassroots sport as well and what a massive difference that can make,” he said.

Mr Astley said he had anecdotal evidence that children who access or play rugby league “don’t tend to require access to things like children's mental health services”.

He added: “So we can play such a powerful role and I’d like to see whatever government is in power on Friday to really focus on making sure we’re not that poor relation of sport in Europe.”

The candidates standing for Warrington South are:

Janet Balfe (Reform UK)

Andy Carter (Conservative)

Stephanie Davies (Green)

Graham Gowland (Liberal Democrat)

Sarah Hall (Labour)

Graeme Kelley (Social Democratic Party)

Peter Willett (independent)