Karen welcomed Local Government Minister Brandon Lewis MP to Leek on Tuesday to meet local traders.
"I was proud to be able to show Brandon some of the fantastic shops we are lucky to have in Leek", she said. "It's the first time he has been able to get here since he was a judge in the Britain's best High St competition - where Leek came second in the country. All the judges there were impressed by how independent shops had brought new life to our market town and I think that's well deserved. The town centre is full of life and we have very few empty shops - especially compared with other towns our size.
"Well done to all the businesses who are working so hard and making Leek such an attractive place to live and visit. And thanks to the Totally Locally Leek team for helping boost independent traders and make the town so lively. I was really pleased to bring the minister to see some of my favourite shops. I amalways proud to bring any visitors to see such a variety of shops with such great customer service and they were all very welcoming."
Karen is pictured in (picure 1) Meakin's butchers with (l-r) Chris Sands and Marc Briand from Totally Locally Leek, Brandon Lewis MP, Ian Meakin (with prize rib of beef) and Councillor Sybil Ralphs; (pic 2) with the very knowledgeable James Molden at the Wineshop; (3) with Jane Powell and her dad at the fabulous Over the Rainbow toy shop; (pic 4) with Carole Walsh at her great deli Pronto; (pic 5) meeting Holly Crow at her new shop Handmade.