Businesses have their say

Businesses in South Warwickshire were the first to feed into a new business-led manifesto that will help to set the economic agenda for the region.

Around 20 representatives from firms in the area attended the latest Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Local Business Forum, hosted at Stratford-uponAvon College.

The meeting was an opportunity for businesspeople to discuss how they are faring in the current economic climate, with attendees raising issues around skills, rising costs and general confidence.

They were also asked to feedback on a range of questions set by Beverley Nielsen who is working with the Chamber to help develop a manifesto to set out the strategic economic aims for Coventry and Warwickshire for the next three years.

The meeting heard that Coventry and Warwickshire’s economy has been resilient to the challenges of the past decade but must set out its priorities for the coming years to ensure it continues to grow.

Businesses were asked to rank priorities on a range of topics – from net zero through to training the future workforce – and their answers, along with research carried out across the whole of the region, will feed into the manifesto that will be launched later this year.

Corin Crane, the chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “For the past decade, it feels like we’ve had to react – time and again – to the latest issues as they’ve arisen and our work to key stakeholders and speak to them in-depth about the vital role that canals play and how we can develop any future collaboration to ensure their long-term security.

“We would like to thank Corin and the other delegates for taking the time to visit us at Hatton Locks.

“Our wonderful canal network plays a significant role, benefiting the lives of millions across England and Wales, but the challenges we face in keeping it safe and accessible continue to grow.

“This vital work is not something we can do alone and would not be possible without the additional support of hundreds of volunteers, supporters, and donors, working alongside our staff. However, there is still more to do, and everyone can play their part.”

For more details about The Canal and River Trust and to support the charity, either through sponsorship or providing volunteer support to help deliver critical projects, contact terry.hodgetts@canalrivertrust.org.uk or visit https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/ businesses across this patch have continued to show incredible resilience.

“This manifesto will help us to set an agenda for our regional economy that outlines our priorities, taking into account businesses’ concerns but, also, their aspirations for the future.

“There is a really strong sense that we have something very special in Coventry and Warwickshire and, if we can harness that in the right way, we can boost growth and prosperity for everyone.”

Larry Coltman, the chair of the Chamber’s South Warwickshire Local Business Forum, added: “It was a great opportunity to hear from our members locally about the current economic climate to ensure that we can voice all of their issues to decision-makers at all levels.

“But it was also a chance to look forward and discuss how businesses, through the Chamber’s manifesto, can help to shape the future.”