Latest updates and stories from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and its Members

By February, the business mood for the year usually becomes clearer. The optimism of January settles into the practical realities of order books, wage bills and investment decisions.

And for many Bedfordshire businesses in 2026, the picture is mixed. Inflation has eased from recent highs and interest rates are starting to come down, but confidence remains fragile after a year of policy shocks, global trade headwinds and rapid technology change.

National forecasts point to modest growth in the short term, with business investment still expected to remain subdued. In plain terms: borrowing may get easier, but not quickly. Demand may improve, but not dramatically. And many firms will stay cautious on hiring and capital spend.

That’s why the places that succeed next will be the ones that can offer clarity, capability and confidence. And that’s exactly where Bedfordshire’s opportunity lies.

A county with real momentum

Even against a cautious national backdrop, Bedfordshire has strong local tailwinds and a concentration of major growth projects that could strengthen our economy for a generation, if we get the delivery right.

The proposed Universal Studios development has the potential to be transformational - not just for the visitor economy, but across construction, logistics, food and drink, business services, creative industries and supply chains. Recent conversations with local leaders and operators have rightly focused on readiness, from the construction phase through to long-term operations, including workforce capacity and the practical steps needed to keep local firms close to the opportunity.

But Universal is not the only story. The expansion at London Luton Airport continues to drive jobs, connectivity and supply chain demand. And the redevelopment of the Vauxhall site represents another major opportunity to attract new investment, shape high-quality employment land, and ensure local businesses can compete for contracts.

Taken together, Bedfordshire is in a genuine “platform moment”. The challenge is ensuring the benefits land locally.

Skills will decide whether we win

If one issue keeps coming up in conversations with businesses, it’s skills. Not only shortages, but mismatches between what’s available and what employers need.

That’s why skills work must stay firmly employer-led. Priorities such as construction and engineering, logistics, hospitality and the visitor economy, digital and professional services will all be critical as demand grows.

There is also a clear need to strengthen the pathway between education and employment, including placements and progression routes that connect learners directly into local employers and supply chains.

For businesses, the ask is simple: get involved where you can. Offer placements, help shape training provision, and tell us where the real pinch points are. The faster we act on that intelligence, the faster Bedfordshire can build the workforce that attracts and retains investment.

A clear message: back business confidence

At a time when many firms remain cautious, policymakers must do more to provide stability and clarity, accelerate planning and infrastructure delivery, and commit to skills and innovation for the long term - not through short-term initiatives that come and go.

For Bedfordshire, that means keeping major projects moving at pace, ensuring transport and utilities capacity matches growth, and backing skills pipelines that reflect real employer demand.

The next 12 months: readiness and relationships

By this time next year, success should look like:

• Local supply chains ready to compete for Universal, airport-related opportunities and major redevelopment contracts
• Skills pipelines aligned to employer demand, supported by stronger placement routes
• Businesses investing in productivity, even if national growth remains modest
• A clear local growth story backed by delivery, so confidence returns

Bedfordshire has the assets - entrepreneurial businesses, strategic connectivity and a pipeline of investment. Our job now is to convert that potential into real, local benefit.

If something is affecting your business - skills, costs, recruitment, export barriers - tell us. We’ll take it to the people who can change it, and we’ll make sure Bedfordshire’s business voice is not only heard but acted on.

To join the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, visit www.chamber-business.com or call 01582 522448.