Welcoming the Culture and Technology Minister to Newcastle-under-Lyme
- Adam Jogee MP
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
This week I was pleased to welcome the Culture and Tourism Minister, and the Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms, Chris Bryant MP, to Newcastle-under-Lyme for a day of visits across the constituency.
It was a great opportunity to showcase the strength of our local visitor economy, cultural life and the innovation taking place at Keele University.
Tourism roundtable at Brampton Museum
We began the day at Brampton Museum, where the Minister toured the museum and joined a roundtable with local organisations working in tourism and hospitality. The discussion focused on how we can attract more visitors, support local businesses and strengthen Newcastle-under-Lyme’s visitor economy.
A visit to the New Vic Theatre
The Minister then toured the New Vic Theatre – the first purpose-built theatre-in-the-round in Europe – and heard more about its work. As well as producing acclaimed theatre, the New Vic designs and builds its own sets, costumes and props, and runs a wide range of education and community programmes. The visit also underlined the theatre’s role in the wider visitor economy – highlighting the importance of bringing more tourists to towns like ours and the role of arts and culture as a driver of growth outside London and the South East.
Innovation at Keele University
Finally, we visited Keele University’s Digital Society Institute at Innovation Centre 7. The Minister met researchers and business leaders who are working together on projects covering data security, artificial intelligence and the future of work. It was a chance to highlight how research at Keele is connecting with businesses, creating opportunities for our area and making a real contribution to the local economy.
It was a real pleasure to bring the Minister to Newcastle-under-Lyme and to show him just some of what makes our community special. There is still a lot to do – but there is also so much to celebrate.
