FENLAND Council chairman, Councillor Pam Potts, has been busy visiting local businesses to spread the message that the council is determined to support and promote business and the economy in Fenland. As part of the council s Open for Business commitmen

FENLAND Council chairman, Councillor Pam Potts, has been busy visiting local businesses to spread the message that the council is determined to support and promote business and the economy in Fenland.

As part of the council's 'Open for Business' commitment, Cllr Potts visited Whittlesey firm Blanc de Bierges, which has been paving the way, literally, on successful development projects around the world for almost 30 years.

Blanc de Bierges managing director Kevin Milner gave Cllr Potts a guided tour of the workshops that have turned out high quality hand-crafted architectural masonry and interior products for a stunning range of projects such as for the Number 1 Court at Wimbledon, the Tate Gallery in St Ives, Cornwall and the British Embassy in Moscow.

Closer to home, the company has completed a range of projects, including an amphitheatre in Upton village near Northampton and environmental enhancement schemes in Huntingdon town centre.

Cllr Potts is keen to visit businesses and to hear at first hand how the council can help foster an entrepreneurial and vibrant business culture and help companies benefit from operating in Fenland.

Cllr Potts said: "It is fascinating to see such high-quality and innovative world-beating work being produced in Fenland. It goes to show that the best in Fenland can compete anywhere in the world and this is something we want to shout from the rooftops and support."

Mr Milner said: "We are delighted that our local expertise is being recognised close to home. We are recognised across the world for the quality of our work, but we have been something of a hidden gem in our own back yard. I am impressed that the council is proactively supporting local businesses. It can only be good for the future of Fenland.