Calais Mayor woos firms

The Mayor of Calais is continuing her charm offensive on Kent companies after the EU referendum with a visit to the county.

Natacha Bouchart, pictured, will host businesses and politicians at an informal networking event designed to woo entrepreneurs looking for a location within the EU but still close to the county.

Last month, the mayor wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Theresa May in the KM Group’s newspaper titles calling for closer ties between the two regions – and for businesses to open bases in northern France.

She will try to put her plan into action with the gathering at the Holiday Inn in Ashford on September 1.

Thaddee Segard, owner of French Deals, which helped arrange the visit, said: “Calais has always been the gateway to the Continent and it is also a land of opportunity for Kentish businesses thanks to its infrastructure and very affordable real estate.

“Let’s build our future together is the message from the Calais Mayor.”