Wellingborough by-election: Residents' questions answered by candidates

What is on voters' minds in Wellingborough as they prepare to go to the polls on 15 February to choose their new MP? And do the candidates have the answers? Residents have been giving us their questions.

'How would you improve Wellingborough town centre?'

Amber Lovell says the town centre could be more attractive

Amber Lovell, who is 27 and lives in Rushden, believes Wellingborough town centre needs a facelift.

"Wellingborough used to be known for its market and now there's not a market any more," she says.

"We need to bring it back, encourage independent businesses back to the high street and revitalise the town centre."

Wellingborough's town centre is on the minds of voters

What the candidates say (in alphabetical order)

Ana Savage Gunn - Liberal Democrats

I want to see the town centre vibrant, exciting and full of little bespoke shops, cafes and restaurants. It is clear there needs to be investment in the town centre to make it cleaner, tidier and more welcoming and police patrols to reassure shoppers. We need to encourage small businesses to open 'one of a kind' shops.

Ben Habib - Reform UK

Slash business rates to make it cost effective for retailers to occupy shops and compete with online and out-of-town retailers. Dramatically reduce Net Zero obligations which make it so costly to create modern retail, office and residential units and deregulate planning so alternative uses can be easily implemented. The Swansgate Centre should be converted into mixed use with much less retail, an office component and significant residential component. The introduction of residential into the town centre will immediately make it cleaner, safer and vibrant.

Helen Harrison - Conservative

I would ensure we develop a comprehensive plan, uniting the town council, North Northants council, local business leaders and residents. With determination and collaboration, we can pinpoint the distinct strengths of our town centre and attract the necessary investment to enrich our community. Initiatives such as repairing potholes, constructing new bypasses and implementing free parking schemes will make visits more convenient and draw more visitors.

Gen Kitchen - Labour

We have a plan to revive the great British high street with business rate reforms to help small firms, and action on empty shops and anti-social behaviour to bring shoppers back to the high street. I will work with traders and the chamber of commerce to improve and revitalise our town centre, create a 'Visit Wellingborough' taskforce, protect free parking and work with the police and council to tackle anti-social behaviour, so people feel safe in our town centres. 

Will Morris - Green Party

We need a safe town centre supported by police on the beat and activities for all, and green areas with trees to brighten the environment. We should encourage small shops with start up packages and lower taxation. There should also be fair taxation for online sales giants, who do not compete on a level playing field with bricks and mortar shops.

Andre Pyne-Bailey - Independent

I want the tax free allowance to increase to meet the daily needs of an individual. Until people have a decent disposable amount it is pointless getting more businesses to open up. If we filled all the stores with businesses and people had the same amount to spend, it will endanger all the businesses as the average spend across the shops will go down.

Marion Turner-Hawes - Independent

I would call together residents, community organisations, local traders and public bodies to re-imagine what our town centre can be. I would work to create a clear 're-invigoration' plan, based on a new sustainability model for the town centre, identify sources of significant funding to deliver the plan and sign up people and groups to a programme of events to start "Loving Our Town" and bringing our vision to life.

Kevin Watts - Independent

Firstly we should lower business rates for those who would fill an empty shop in the area. We also need a diversity of shops - we already have enough bookies in the area. And we need shops that would bring people into the centre. This could be done by asking people what shops they want. We could also offer free stalls to market traders for a limited period and if they prove popular, they could be offered at a cheap rate.

'What would you do to improve facilities for young people?'

Robert Wilson worries about facilities for young people

Robert Wilson is 60 and a handyman. He is worried that there is not enough for young people to do, particularly in the evenings.

"There are too many children and young people hanging around the town centre and getting into trouble," he says.

"They have nothing to do and nowhere to go. That's bad for them and it's bad for their parents who will have to go to court or the police station when they get into trouble."

What the candidates say (in alphabetical order)

Ana Savage Gunn - Liberal Democrat

I believe we need to use existing facilities like schools, village halls, church halls and sporting facilities to their full extent. I would look to introduce a multi-faceted approach with councillors, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, volunteer organisations and the church to co-ordinate events and clubs for young people.

Ben Habib - Reform UK

Youth unemployment is a real issue. The economy must grow for youth unemployment to reduce. Taxes should be cut on the working and middle classes.  

Helen Harrison - Conservative

One of our commitments, which we have fulfilled, was to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, 237 of them across Northamptonshire. Through these efforts, we aim to create a safer environment for local youths. I am also dedicated to providing youngsters with additional facilities and activities to engage in, such as our new Wellingborough family hub. If elected as your next MP, I will collaborate with community groups on grant applications, ensuring that we maximise the opportunities available to young people in our area.

Gen Kitchen - Labour

Youth provision has been dramatically reduced over the last 14 years, and it is often left to charities to fill the gap. We have wonderful groups such as the Wellingborough Amateur Boxing Club and the Compound, that not only provide a space for young people to get active and nurture a hobby, but offer mentorship and positive role models. But they often spend too much of their time trying to fill funding gaps rather than getting on with their work. I will use my experience as a fundraising manager to help these organisations secure vital grants and funding. 

Will Morris - Green Party

We have to give young people support in work and leisure. This means proper apprenticeships. It also means supporting groups that promote sport and leisure, and it means cherishing green spaces and expanding them and showing people that the community they are part of cares.

Andre Pyne-Bailey - Independent

I will support opening youth centres in all the wards where young people are able to meet and organise events which are of interest to them.

Marion Turner-Hawes - Independent

I would listen to young people to find out about the kind of amenities and facilities that they would love to see, and listen to the findings of recent work by the Local Area Partnership teams who have been focusing on young people's health, and work from the Office of Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's 'Youth Service'. I would also recruit at least one person to my MP's team with a track record in helping people and community organisations apply for significant grant funding.

Kevin Watts - Independent

Very little money is set aside from the council budget for the young, who mainly rely on volunteers who get funding from charities. We need to give councils more money and give children the ability to grow by giving them a structured set of activities, to capture their imaginations and keep them out of mischief.

Three of the candidates: Nick the Flying Brick, Alex Merola from Britain First and Ankit Love Jay Mala did not reply to our request to take part.