Milton Keynes MP Chris Curtis has praised the city’s business community, saying the closeness and togetherness of shops, hotels, restaurants, charities and commercial enterprises in the region are among the reasons for MK’s thriving economy, which is now one of the fastest growing in the country.
Chris Curtis, MP for Milton Keynes North, was speaking at the recent Meet of MK business networking gathering and applauded the attendees – a cross-section of traders and businesspeople – for their hard work and dedication which, he says, ‘powers’ the city.
More than 180 delegates packed into one of MK Dons FC’s ballrooms inside Stadium MK to hear the MP celebrate the businesses, charities and organisations that support the city and its people.
He said he often hears colleagues in the House of Commons talking about Oxford’s and Cambridge’s economies because ‘that’s where a lot of them went to university’. But he added that Milton Keynes’ economy is now larger than both of those two cities put together.
“Whether you’re someone who is running a business, whether you’re one of our brilliant local charities, creating jobs, or training the next generation, your contribution is what makes this city thrive,” said Chris.
“And we are thriving at the moment. Here in Milton Keynes, we actually have an economy that’s bigger than Oxford and Cambridge combined and that is because of the brilliant work that many people in this room have done to build up the economy of our fantastic city.
“I’m sure many of you know, the recent years haven’t been easy. We have been dealt blow after blow from Brexit to Covid, the war in Ukraine and everything else that has made it so difficult to be running a business here in the city.
“Despite all that, you have done an incredible job of keeping going. You’ve kept your doors open, supported your staff and helped keep our city moving. And I just wanted to let you know that I will always massively respect the work that you do. And I will always do whatever I can to keep fighting for the business community here in the city.”
He especially singled out Milton Keynes College, MK Dons SET (Sports and Education Trust) and the MK Community Foundation for praise for the work they have done to help MK people and communities over the past year.
The popular MKFM networking event drew a wide range of guests from across the business, retail and hospitality spectrums and included presentations from MK Dons, Stadium MK Group, Willen Hospice and MK Marathon.
The monthly event brings a variety of businesses together under one roof, allowing them to discuss the economic climate, swap ideas, exchange contact details and meet potential new customers.
Companies regularly use a Meet of MK meeting to launch a new product or idea, promote charitable works or celebrate awards and achievements. Thousands of pounds have been raised for local good causes in the last eight years of MOMK events.
“I’m delighted that this business networking community has been so successful since 2017,” says MKFM acting director Jo Ronan. “Up to 200 attendees come together each month to meet and discuss their businesses and I know they support each other through the Meet of MK, as Chris Curtis has highlighted.
“We have lots of new ideas for the future and we’ll continue to find interesting venues in which to welcome the brilliant businesses throughout Milton Keynes to future MOMK evenings.”
Find out more about Meet of MK at the MKFM website here.
