REGIONAL NEWS

At the front, if not on the front line

Standing back from the front line of business operations and management, as I’ve recently done, does allow you some flexibility to see and assess things somewhat differently from the way that you have previously. It’s a double-edged sword, of course: I’ve got more time to devote to Chamber Board activities and related matters, plus other projects I’m involved in, but I’m no longer privy to the day-to-day cut-and-thrust of managing the business, over-hearing office conversations (somewhat constrained since Covid, of course) and urgent factory floor problem-solving. This is not a whinge though – you cannot have your cake and eat it, as they say! I’m still as determined as ever I was at leading the Chamber from the front, whether that’s with strategic thinking and planning, supporting specific projects such as connecting our businesses and young people together, or being the spokesperson from time to time. Though you will have heard plenty of other people say how important it is right now for businesses to get the right support and platform for them to survive and recover, I cannot help but echo and reiterate that again here. However, I’m pleased to hear from many businesses (and this is supported in our economic survey work) that they continue to trade buoyantly, and we hope that they can now feel more confident about their future prospects. As always, this magazine illustrates many good examples of great businesses, case studies of how the Chamber is helping, and the opportunities available to them to develop and grow. I hope that you enjoy reading it and I hope that I’m able to see many of you again soon.

Amanda Beresford Chair of the Board West & North Yorkshire Chamber

WEST & NORTH YORKSHIRE NEWS

Hope and opportunity for Yorkshire and Humber

A new report from a Yorkshire and Humber planning and development consultancy lifts the lid on the state of the region’s town centres and funding driving regeneration and job creation. The ‘Moving on up? Levelling up town centres across Northern England’ Insight report by Leeds firm Lichfields, comes at a time of ‘seismic’ change for local cities and towns. The last 12 months have been challenging, says the report, as pandemic and lockdowns have had a huge impact on regional communities as working patterns have changed. High street retailers also face significant challenges, notably the growth in online shopping, competition from out-oftown developments, the burden of disproportionate business rates, and changing consumer habits. The report identifies how places such as Wakefield, Halifax, Rotherham, Barnsley, Grimsby and Scarborough are fighting back to meet the challenges and benefitting from a £522m funding package allocated to the region. This includes £96m from the £830m Future High Streets Fund which is helping to deliver transformative change to struggling high streets, while £413m secured from the £3.6bn Towns Fund is seeing regional towns bringing forward imaginative proposals for economic growth. Funding the development of space to accommodate new digital and creative industries and repurposing retail space as affordable and attractive living space, is seen as critical to the future vibrancy and culture of towns and creating hundreds of new jobs. The report says ‘…maintaining a meaningful 24-hours population in town centres will…drive demand for services and facilities, which contribute to the vitality of the centres’. However, there are many positives on the horizon and our research points to a strong, vibrant and successful future for those northern towns that take advantage of the funding streams and pursue exciting and innovative strategies designed to transform the heart and soul of our high streets.

Consumers in Yorkshire ‘look local’

New research* by Barclays Corporate Banking reveals that 17,000 local high street stores could open across the UK in the next 12 months as shoppers adapt to a post-lockdown world by ‘looking local’. In a new thought leadership report, Retail Unlocked, Barclays’ data shows that consumers in Yorkshire have returned to physical stores. A significant portion are planning on stepping up their in-store shopping. However, the benefits are most likely to be seen in local high streets rather than in big cities. The research shows that home and hybrid working patterns will persist into 2022 for nearly a quarter of workers in Yorkshire with 23% expecting to work entirely from home and 17% anticipating a part-home, part-office model. Just over a quarter of consumers across Yorkshire now say that the best way a retailer can appeal to them is to open stores in their local area. Karen Johnson, Head of Retail and Wholesale for Barclays Corporate Banking, said: “Our report shows how innovative UK retail businesses are looking to build back better to meet the challenges of a reshaped and revitalised retail landscape. “Ecommerce has been the undisputed winner of the pandemic but not far behind are community high streets, as shoppers seek to ‘look local’ and support the stores on their doorstep.”

Building futures together BT launches low-cost fibre package HSBC: Fraud and how to avoid it

Barratt Developments Yorkshire West, which includes the Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes brands add six new apprentices. The new hires come as Barratt Developments announce it will be creating around 745 construction jobs as a direct result of new sites that are due to launch this year. Darren Johnson, Construction Director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire West commented: “As one of the country’s top housebuilders, we are always committed to developing talent and we are incredibly proud of the opportunities we can provide” More than half (54%) of people across Yorkshire and The Humber feel more vulnerable compared to the start of the pandemic, with more than a quarter (28%) needing additional financial support BT has launched Home Essentials to help 4.6 million low income families across the nations with half-price fibre broadband and calls BT’s 12,000 customer service colleagues to receive bespoke training to better support customers who need extra help, and a range of support services are also available in new Here for You section of BT.com Scam texts, fake emails, robotic phone calls, we’ve had them all. Fraud is everywhere, and so is the potential risk. But here’s the good news: we at HSBC UK have put everything you need to know about fraud and what to do to avoid it in one handy place. Our HSBC UK Security Centre will help keep you up to date with advice on the latest scams and fraud activity, helping you to protect yourself. Join HSBC UK online to take part in one of our fraud prevention webinars. Whether you’re tech savvy or not, fraud can happen to anyone.

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