TL;DR – Supporting Local Businesses & Growing the Economy

• Scrap parking charges that drive customers away from the town centre
• Cut red tape to make it easier for local businesses to operate and grow
• Invest in Seaham’s town centre and seafront to attract footfall and create jobs
• Support start-ups and reduce empty shops through incentives and pop-ups
• Improve infrastructure and promote Seaham as a business-friendly destination

When we talk about revitalising Seaham, it’s not just about roads, safety, or planning—it’s about people. It’s about the business owners opening up early, the families running high street shops, the start-ups testing new ideas, and the entrepreneurs who choose to invest here instead of somewhere bigger or louder.

Ian McAndrew understands that local businesses are the lifeblood of any town. They don’t just provide jobs—they bring identity, vibrancy, and a sense of place. As the Conservative candidate for Seaham in the upcoming 1st May elections, Ian is putting business support and economic growth at the centre of his campaign.

Having built and run multiple successful restaurants, written bestselling cookbooks, and earned a Michelin Star, Ian isn’t new to the pressures of business ownership. He’s dealt with balance sheets, payroll, regulations, and the kind of challenges that many local traders face every day. That’s why he’s the right person to champion Seaham’s economic future—from the high street to the harbour.

Why Local Businesses Matter
Before diving into policy, it’s worth stepping back to recognise why small and independent businesses matter so much in towns like Seaham.

Local businesses:

• Create jobs and keep money circulating within the local economy
• Revive high streets, giving residents more reasons to shop locally
• Attract tourism, especially in coastal towns like Seaham with growing footfall
• Offer personalised service, community connections, and reinvestment
• Shape the identity of the town through unique offerings and experiences

But in recent years, too many have struggled. Rising costs, poor infrastructure, red tape, and lack of council support have held back potential. That needs to change—and Ian is ready to lead that change.

1. Scrapping Parking Charges that Hurt Local Trade
   One of Ian’s top priorities is to stop the introduction of parking charges in Seaham. It’s a clear example of a well-intentioned policy that risks doing real harm. While larger cities might absorb such costs, small towns like Seaham rely heavily on accessible, low-cost parking to attract footfall.

When people can’t park easily—or are put off by the idea of paying for a quick visit—they go elsewhere. That hurts cafés, shops, service providers, and community events. It puts our town centre at a disadvantage.

Ian is firmly against parking charges that penalise local shopping and deter visitors. His view is simple: we should be encouraging people into town, not pricing them out of it.

Removing barriers like these helps small businesses grow—and supports a more active, people-focused high street.

2. Creating a More Business-Friendly Council
   Every business owner in Seaham has a story about red tape—licensing delays, inconsistent communication, or complex application processes that turn simple ideas into uphill battles.

Ian wants to streamline the way Seaham businesses interact with the council, cutting down bureaucracy and making it easier to get things done. That means:

• Faster turnarounds for permits and approvals
• Clear, published criteria for planning and signage applications
• Dedicated support for small businesses navigating council procedures
• Transparent communication channels with real people—not just forms

Ian understands that time is money. Every week lost to slow decisions or unclear processes is a missed opportunity for growth. His goal is to make Seaham a place where business is welcomed and supported—not bogged down by administration.

3. Championing Investment in the Town Centre and Seafront
   Seaham has real potential. With its dramatic coastline, growing population, and increasing footfall, it should be a hub for independent business and tourism. But that potential needs to be unlocked with targeted investment and clear vision.

Ian is advocating for:

• Regeneration funding to support town centre improvement projects
• Seafront development that supports independent traders, not just large chains
• Better signage, lighting, and seating to improve the customer experience
• Creating mixed-use spaces where people can work, shop, eat, and relax

Importantly, he’s committed to ensuring that any development works for the community. That means protecting Seaham’s character, giving locals a say, and ensuring that economic growth benefits residents, not just outside investors.

4. Supporting Start-Ups and Independent Traders
   The cost of starting a business is rising—and young entrepreneurs or solo traders often don’t have the capital or connections to get going. Ian wants to see more proactive support for start-ups, particularly those rooted in the local community.

His approach includes:

• Advocating for shared working spaces and low-rent units for new ventures
• Working with landlords to reduce empty shop fronts via pop-up incentives
• Partnering with regional funds to offer small business grants or micro-loans
• Promoting local markets and events as incubators for new businesses

Ian believes that economic resilience starts at the grassroots. By creating a supportive environment for new business ideas, Seaham can build a more diverse and future-ready local economy.

5. Building Better Infrastructure to Support Growth
   It’s not enough to help businesses directly—we also need to invest in the infrastructure that supports them. That means making Seaham more accessible, more attractive, and more future-facing.

Ian’s plans include:

• Improving road surfaces and traffic flow to make Seaham easier to reach
• Advocating for better rail links, particularly for visitors and commuters
• Investing in digital infrastructure, including public Wi-Fi and stronger mobile coverage
• Ensuring reliable, well-maintained public spaces, so businesses operate in a clean, safe environment

These are not luxury upgrades—they’re essential conditions for business success. Whether it’s a delivery van avoiding potholes or a café needing steady broadband, infrastructure underpins every part of local commerce.

6. Promoting Seaham as a Destination
   Ian believes Seaham should be known across the region—not just as a scenic spot, but as a destination town for food, retail, and community events. With his background in tourism and hospitality, he’s ideally placed to make that happen.

He’ll work with local businesses and the wider council to:

• Develop and promote events that bring footfall to the town
• Support local food, arts, and heritage initiatives
• Create collaborative campaigns that market Seaham as a go-to destination

This isn’t just about tourism—it’s about local pride, visibility, and economic confidence. When more people visit Seaham, more businesses benefit, more jobs are created, and the whole town moves forward.

7. Listening to Business Owners – and Acting
   Finally, Ian believes the most important thing a councillor can do for businesses is listen. Not in a token, tick-box way—but through regular, practical dialogue.

If elected, Ian will:

• Hold regular business forums to hear directly from owners and traders
• Publish updates on council decisions that impact local business
• Be accessible, responsive, and accountable to those who keep Seaham running

He knows what it means to be on the other side of the counter—and he’s ready to put that insight to work on behalf of the business community.

In Summary: A Real Champion for Local Growth
Ian McAndrew’s approach to economic development isn’t theoretical — it’s lived. He’s built payrolls, juggled costs, served customers, and weathered downturns. He knows the challenges facing Seaham’s businesses because he’s faced them himself.

If elected on 1st May, Ian will be a councillor who doesn’t just support local business in principle — he’ll back it in practice. Through smart investment, practical support, and removing unnecessary barriers, he aims to build a stronger, more sustainable economy for Seaham.

Because when businesses succeed, Seaham succeeds.

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Let’s make Seaham stronger — together.

Promoted by Tom Baker on behalf of Ian McAndrew at Conservative Office, Creative Business Park, Riverside Ind Est.. Langley Park, Durham, DH7 9TY