Council must really "sell" Hatfield benefits

6.03.49pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th Oct 2009

T-mobile

Every resident of Hatfield knows T-Mobile is a major local employer. So the recent news of a proposed merger with Orange is a real concern to local people. The possibility of redundancies and job losses could be yet another major blow to the town.

Of course it doesn't have to be like this.

Paul Zukowskyj recent met with a representative from T-Mobile to discuss the issue. Paul had this to say after the meeting. "We face a choice in Welwyn Hatfield. We can be pessimists or we can be optimists. Orange's south-east headquarters are in London, they're already at capacity and there may be serious costs involved in expanding there. T-Mobile's headquarters in Hatfield could easily expand, without the same sort of costs involved in expanding in London."

"We need to show the merged company that Hatfield is the place to be. We have a skilled and growing workforce, more space to expand, fantastic links to London as well as the North and lower costs than central London."

"Our council, as our representatives, need to really sell the benefits of locating in Hatfield to the merged company. They can make a real contribution to making this happen, bringing new money, new jobs and new people into our area. We need the new company to make the right choice, but our council needs to ensure they play their part. I've been invited to meet with T-Mobile again, and you can be sure I'll do everything I can to show them that choosing Hatfield is the best option. Lets hope for once our council also pulls out all the stops to deliver on what could be a hugely important decision for our area."

ENDS.