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

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has warned that removing the UK’s tariff exemption for low value imports could risk pushing up prices, harming small businesses and reducing trade intensity.  

For nearly two decades, Emma Smith has been helping businesses bring their brands to life through promotional products and corporate gifts. As the founder of Creative Merchandise, she has built a trusted client base by combining industry expertise with a refreshingly personal approach to service.

For many organisations, branded merchandise and corporate gifts sit in the “nice-to-have” category, until you need them quickly, your event deadline moves, or a delivery goes wrong and someone has to fix it fast.

That’s where Emma Smith, Founder of Creative Merchandise, comes in.

The Chancellor's Spring Statement, delivered today, was not a Budget - there were no major new tax or spending announcements. Instead, it offered an updated set of economic forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and a clear message of stability and security from the Chancellor. For businesses in Bedfordshire, the picture is one of modest near-term challenges, cautious longer-term improvement, and significant uncertainty that has yet to be fully accounted for

For the Aegis Group of Companies, growth has never been simply about getting bigger - it’s been about ambition, innovation, and purpose. What began as a single security and facilities management business has evolved into a diverse group of brands operating across multiple sectors and international markets.

Today, Aegis is driving forward with a clear vision: to deliver exceptional service, nurture talent, and make a positive impact both locally and globally.

The British Chambers of Commerce is urging the government to adopt its six-point plan to support UK exporters as the US President’s new 15 per cent tariff kicks in.  

There’s just one month left to enter the SME Bedfordshire Business Awards 2026, with entries closing on 13^th March. If you’ve been thinking about entering, now is the moment to take action.

If you’ve achieved growth, driven innovation, shown resilience, made a meaningful community impact, or developed an outstanding team, this is your opportunity to be recognised.

Your business belongs in the spotlight.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Business Council has met with the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary, Steve Reed MP, to call for planning reform to deliver growth.  

Students from Bedford College, part of The Bedford College Group, gained hands-on business experience by hosting the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce Networking Meeting at Bedford College, as part of a special Student Takeover initiative delivered in partnership with the Chamber to kick off National Apprenticeship Week activities across the Group.

A new report from the British Chambers of Commerce is calling for the government to reform the apprenticeship system to make it fit for the 21st Century. 

As the UK celebrates National Apprenticeships Week, it finds that the current framework is too rigid, lacks clarity, neglects higher-level skills and is failing to meet the needs of business.  

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.

For over 42 years, Wenta has been helping to transform the lives of entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses.  As one of the UK’s largest not-for-profit enterprise agencies, Wenta’s mission is simple but powerful: inclusive support making it easier and greener to start and run a successful business.

We spoke with Jennifer Condon, Director of Services and Engagement at Wenta, to explore how their work delivers real client benefits, what sets their offer apart, and how ambitious plans around innovation, sustainability and new spaces such as The DomeWorks will shape the future of business support.

In new survey data, the percentage of businesses reporting increased export orders has fallen to 21% in Q4 2025, compared with 31% in Q2 2018
 
A further 50% report no change, while 28% report a decrease 

Smaller and medium sized businesses have been hit much harder than larger firms, with just 19% of SMEs reporting increased orders, compared with 39% of firms with more than 250 employees

After nearly 30 years specialising in capital allowances and tax relief, Louise Barth, Founder of Barth Consulting, has become a trusted advisor to businesses looking to protect cashflow and keep more money in their organisations – at a time when every pound matters.

Louise began her career as a chartered surveyor, working on major construction projects including Vauxhall Motors and specialist London schemes such as the Science Museum. It was during these early years that she first encountered capital allowances; an area few people understood at the time.

For Paul Bowen-James BEM, Founder and Chief Executive of Kids in Action, a charity created to give children with disabilities a place where they feel safe, supported, and free to be themselves, this charity is not just an organisation. It's a lifeline, a community, and for many, a second home.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Kids in Action has grown from a small youth club of 8 - 10 children into a thriving, inclusive community supporting 450 - 500 service users every week. Today, it is one of Bedfordshire’s most remarkable charities; built not from strategy documents or funding pipelines, but from lived experience, compassion, and an unwavering determination to make sure no child feels alone.

There’s a strong sense of momentum in Bedfordshire right now. With major investments on the horizon, from the proposed Universal resort to ongoing development around London Luton Airport, our region is on the cusp of a transformation that could see thousands of new jobs, strengthened infrastructure and long-term business growth.

And if there’s one thing local business owners tell us again and again, it’s this: “We want to be part of what’s coming next.”

• Less than a quarter of surveyed firms (23%) expect to increase the size of their workforce in the next three months, compared with 63% expecting no change, and 14% a decrease.

• Just over half of surveyed businesses (52%) attempted to hire staff in the last three months (compared with 54% in Q3).

• Recruitment difficulties eased slightly in Q4, however 70% still report problems hiring staff (75% in Q3).

The latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) from the BCC’s Insights Unit once again highlights price pressures as a central concern for UK businesses. Just over half (52%) of firms report that they expect to raise prices over the coming months, reflecting ongoing cost challenges. While the QES is not designed as a formal inflation forecast, its price expectations measure has, over time, proved to be a useful barometer of inflationary pressure in the wider economy.

As Essential Workwear returns as Headline Sponsor for the SME Bedfordshire Business Awards 2026, Founder and Managing Director George Georgiou reflects on a year defined by progress, resilience, and an ever-stronger commitment to the community that shaped the business.

For nearly three decades, Essential Workwear has been a proud Bedfordshire business, growing from a one-man operation to a nationally respected provider of high-quality branded workwear. Today, they supply businesses of all sizes across the UK, from sole traders to large national employers, delivering everything from branded PPE and uniforms to premium workwear from leading global brands.

As we look ahead to 2026, one event already stands out as a highlight in our calendar: the return of the SME Bedfordshire Business Awards. Now entering their ninth year, the Awards continue to grow in stature, profile and impact and we are proud to once again serve as organiser and host.

This year’s theme, “Your Business Belongs in the Spotlight,” captures exactly what these Awards exist to do: shine a light on the outstanding organisations, people and achievements that make our county such a vibrant and ambitious place to do business.

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s hard to believe how quickly the year has flown!

The current mood among businesses is understandably mixed. Local companies are having to deal with the impact of the recent tough Autumn Budget and navigate current pressures, whilst also preparing to seize the opportunities coming from the significant investment set to flow into our county over the next five years.

Despite the challenging backdrop, there are real reasons to be optimistic about 2026 and beyond.

The Chancellor’s Autumn Budget, delivered yesterday on 26 November 2025, offers a complex mix of policies: some welcome reliefs for business, targeted support for households, but also a broad raft of tax increases and fiscal tightening that leave many questions for firms in Bedfordshire and a continued absence of a long-term growth strategy.

Responding to the Chancellor’s Budget statement, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said: 
 

“The Chancellor has listened to our calls and made the right choice by not piling major new tax rises on businesses’ shoulders, which will calm nerves.

Wenta and the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce have formed a new strategic partnership to make business support in Beds simpler, more accessible and effective.

Andy Haldane CBE has been elected the new President of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) taking over from Baroness Lane-Fox  

 

He was elected by representatives of the accredited Chamber Network at the BCC’s Annual General Meeting, today (Wednesday 15th October). He will take up the role on Sunday 1 February 2026. 

Across Bedfordshire and beyond, the conversation around skills has never been more urgent.

A recent report by Business Matters highlights what many local employers already know all too well: the UK is facing a critical skills shortage, particularly in trades and technical sectors. Despite strong demand, businesses are struggling to recruit qualified people, and this shortage is putting the brakes on growth and productivity.

The latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) – the UK’s largest snapshot of business sentiment ahead of next month’s Budget – paints a challenging picture of the national economy. Confidence remains flat, investment is subdued, and many firms are still feeling the strain of prolonged cost pressures and policy uncertainty.

But while the national mood may be muted, here in Bedfordshire the story is one of quiet determination, adaptability, and local strength.

When two different strengths come together, the results can be powerful. That’s exactly what happened when Stimpsons Eves, a name with over 100 years of history in Bedfordshire, merged with the ambitious, forward-looking Venture Commercial Partners.

Trading under the Stimpsons Eves brand, the Chartered Surveyors and Commercial Property Consultants firm is entering a new era: carving out a future in the commercial property market that combines heritage and trust with innovation and drive.

Step-by-step guidance, expert advice, and fully funded resources to make international trade a reality.

For many local firms, the idea of trading overseas is both exciting and daunting. The rewards are clear - new customers, diversified markets, and opportunities to grow in ways that staying purely domestic can’t always provide. But let’s be honest, the challenges can feel just as big. Customs paperwork, compliance rules, shifting trade agreements, and finding reliable partners abroad can be a lot to take on.