Ed Balls joins Liz McInnes for a visit to JW Lees Brewery

Ed Balls and Liz McInnes with Michael Lees-Jones at JW Lees Brewery

Ed Balls MP, Shadow Chancellor, joined Liz McInnes, Labour's candidate for Heywood and Middleton and Toby Perkins MP, Labour's shadow small business minister with responsibility for pubs, on a tour of theJ W Lees Brewery accompanied by Michael Lees-Jones, sixth generation family member and head brewer.

Mr Lees-Jones said: "We have a brewery and twenty-five public houses in the Heywood and Middleton constituency and it is paramount for us to drive continued investment and development in the area.

“Our family business has operated in Middleton since 1828 where we have benefited from a driven workforce and supportive local community. Middleton is a fantastic place to grow a business and the long term future looks good for us and other businesses.

“We recognise the importance of today’s visit from Ed, Liz and Toby and it has been a pleasure welcoming them to the brewery.”

Liz McInnes, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Heywood and Middleton said: “As a large local respected employer it is fantastic to have heard about the investment JW Lees put back into their area by supporting young people through their apprenticeship scheme.

“More needs to be done to make sure Heywood and Middleton’s young people have opportunities in their home town and have room to pursue the path of their choice.”