Businesses across Lincolnshire and Newark speak about what they want from the next Government
We've been talking to local firms in places like Grimsby and Sleaford
Day 2 of the general election campaign and today we're looking at what businesses across Lincolnshire and Newark want from whoever wins.
It's now less than 6 weeks before we go to the polls.
We've spoke to local firms in Grimsby and Sleaford who told us they want help with rising costs and measures which could help boost the high street.
Firstly we spoke to James Lockwood owner of I.D architecture in Grimsby.
He told us: "You need a level of investment to draw more money in and there's an eventual trickle down effect for cafes and local businesses etc."
Housing needs a lot of investment
"I think in the immediate short term - actually if you look at the demographic Grimsby is still one of the most poor areas in the country."
"Actually what is one of the big things that would solve that now - housing."
"Housing needs a lot of investment."
"It's incredibly cheap to buy a house here in Grimsby still - but still people can't afford it."
"Those who can afford it are buying them as stock for rental."
"I don't think anyone has ever got hold of the housing crisis ever since the sell off of the council homes."
"The investment and promise of regeneration has actually come from local people and businesses doing it themselves."
"It's a great asset to the local community."
Everything is still tough
We also spoke to shops in Sleaford.
Here's a selection of their comments.
"If you go in the kitchen - cooking oil used to be like 90p - now it's 2 pounds 50."
"Whether you open your door or not open the door we still have expenses we need to run - businesses rates etc - everything is still tough."
"People need to be able to afford to come out and shop again on the High Street is absolutely critical to save independent businesses."
The high street is dying
"It is hard at the moment - any Government needs to see how much we are involved in the economy."
"The times we're in at the moment with the cost of living crisis - it is happening - the high street is dying."
"In the next 6 months loads of businesses will be closed down - they can't afford it.
"I think the main thing is to do something about VAT - drop to 15 per cent and we would be happy."
"However generally everything is going up - electric - gas."
"I hope they can do something - otherwise we'll struggle."