Worcester 6 Business Park continues to receive investment with further commitments and funding secured to continue working on the 60 acres – approved for development earlier this year. We can therefore look forward to attracting even more high quality national and international businesses to the site. Seeing further expansion of available industrial space is great news for any business district and it’s also to see the developers setting aside considerable acreage for green spaces.
Along with Patron Members, I was delighted to meet Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, for a private breakfast at Sixways Stadium. We all enjoyed the insightful comments from Andrew on the causes of the global supply chain crisis, inflation and labour shortages. Andrew predicted that energy costs and inflation are to peak higher before a sharp decline – which is becoming very true and impacting every business in some way. Several the attendees also gave their updates and, to be honest, there were not many positives. I think we are all in for a challenging year on cost pressures, labour costs and availability – and a potential economic downturn.
In early August I dropped into the monthly Chamber Staff Briefing delivered by Sharon and the Directors. This is an excellent means of keeping everyone informed through internal communications. In addition, and something I’ve put in place, one of the Board Directors will attend each briefing, for an informative and positive insight into day-to-day business and an opportunity to make themselves more available to the team.
As previously announced, Clive Brooks – Managing Director of ABE Transport in Ledbury – has taken up the role of Herefordshire Council Chair and a Chamber Board Director. I’ve personally known Clive for a number of years, as a provider of logistics to my old business Orchard Valley Foods. ABE provide transport services for many Chamber Members and other large and small businesses in the two counties – and much wider afield. I took the opportunity to brief Clive on his role within the Council and Chamber to help him ease into his new role.
I’ve also highlighted Veg Life in Malvern previously, a manufacturer of novel and very tasty plant based, vegan foods. To help Rhian, the founder, grow her business and get some top-quality advice I took a friend of mine to meet her. Pat Macdonald is an internationally experienced Michelin starred chef and recently developed the menus and managed the food provision at the Commonwealth Games. Pat gave Rhian some great tips on sourcing kitchen space for increased production and presentation skills.
Please get in touch with me directly if you’d like me to support you and your business. Maybe take a minute to chat at the upcoming Chamber Expo, which is fast approaching on 13th October. I look forward to seeing many of you there, both exhibitors and visitors.
Until next time, Mike.