A MP is calling on the government to protect the seaside resort's iconic sweet treat.
Chris Webb, the new MP for Blackpool South, has highlighted the plight of Blackpool Lock, following concerns over poor quality imports and skills shortages.
He said that “factories are on the verge of closure'' due to declining sales due to the influx of imported goods from China, and that only a few remaining in the UK have the technology to “write letters'' on confectionery. I explained that it was just people.
House of Commons leader Penny Mordaunt said she would pass on her concerns to other ministers.
Mr Webb said: “Blackpool Rock is under threat from cheap counterfeit imports, particularly from China, and I am pleased to announce that my constituency's third-generation traditional sweets manufacturer, Stanton & Novelty Ltd. We are joining them to take the lead in protecting our British-made status.” Sweets.
“Our seven remaining stone mills are at risk of closure, with sales down 40%, threatening the livelihoods of local employees and the survival of our historic businesses.”
He said there were only 50 people in the UK with the necessary skills to properly “write” on stone sticks, most of them in Blackpool.
“Without intervention these traditional skills will soon be lost,” he said, calling for a debate on “securing historic British sweets” and “saving Blackpool Rock”.
Manufacturers previously said Blackpool Rock's “heritage and tradition” was threatened by “poor” Chinese imports and a lack of skilled labor.
They called for the confectionery to be given protected status, similar to that given to Stilton cheese, Cornish clotted cream and Melton Mowbray's pork pie.
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