“Firstly, I would like to wish everyone across Herefordshire and Worcestershire a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I do hope that over the Christmas break businesses can take the opportunity to enjoy the well-deserved relaxation and recharge their batteries ready for the New Year.
“The previous 12 months have presented businesses with the most challenging obstacles they have faced in a generation. With uncertainty over EU Exit negotiations dominating business plans for the early part of 2020 right through the year and then Covid-19, these have been possibly the biggest challenges businesses have faced since the global financial crisis of 2008.
“Herefordshire and Worcestershire businesses have been resilient and robust in the face of a tremendously difficult environment during 2020.
“Businesses will be keen to experience a period of stability as we move into 2021. As vaccines are now being rolled out there is some hope that some restrictions will be eased in the early to mid-part of 2021, and we can get back to a significant sense of normality sometime not so far away. As ever, the Chamber will continue to support local businesses as they recover and grow, creating jobs and positively contributing to society and the economy.
“We hope the early part of 2021 will continue to be a recovery period for those businesses and employees most affected. The Chamber are here for all businesses regardless of size, sector, Member or Non-member status to provide advice, support or any guidance you may need to navigate this testing period.
“I wish the whole Herefordshire & Worcestershire community a wonderful festive period and New Year and look forward to a brand new start in 2021.”
Sharon Smith – Chief Executive
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
