THE deputy leader of the Green Party visited a Worcester independent recycling business in a boost for candidates in coming elections.
During a visit to Worcester on Saturday (March 8) to support Green Party candidates ahead of the May elections, Zack Polanski, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, visited recycling business JansenMetco in Shrub Hill.
Together with city councillor and candidate for St Peter division, Louis Stephen, Zack learned about their eco-friendly metal recycling business.
Mr Polanski said: “The Green Party is always keen to support small independent businesses.
“It was good to meet Peter Jansen to hear about what his company does, but Peter also told me that he is worried about the fact that the service charge he has to pay has gone up by 60 per cent this year.
“That comes on top of a 70 per cent increase the previous year.”
Councillor Louis Stephen said: “It’s great to see the Shrub Hill area regenerated, but we must make sure we look after the small independent businesses and ensure that they are still able to thrive.
“I’m worried that we might be seeing ‘gentrification’ of the area and pricing out of long-standing firms.
“Some small businesses there might not be able to afford the new rents and service charges that are being imposed on them.”