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

Businesses who are ready to scale-up are being offered support to attend a new programme launched by Cranfield University. The new programme 'Growth through green: ready to scale’ is aimed at entrepreneurs, micro/SME or freelancers who want to take their business forward and 

Commenting on the latest UK GDP statistics, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“Although there was a rise in GDP between June and July, the zero-growth recorded on the underlying three-month measure points to an economy under pressure

New research from the British Chambers of Commerce shows a concerningly high number of UK firms aren’t ready for a no deal Brexit. Business has consistently called on government to avoid a messy and disorderly exit but in light of the political turmoil and relentless uncertainty, clearer and more consistent information is needed to help them prepare.

As the fastest-growing large economy in the world, with a large youth demographic and a rising middle class, India offers exciting export opportunities for UK businesses.

The nation is in the midst of a serious skills shortage, and it’s costing UK businesses an estimated £6.3bn every year, according to a report by The Open University.

Responding to the latest Westminster developments, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“Businesses feel like Westminster is playing an endless game of political chess, while their futures and the health of the UK economy hang in the balance.

Commenting on the government announcement on proposals to simplify planning rules to improve rural mobile coverage, Mike Spicer, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

The Ministry of Defence today announced the winners of the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award; 

When people think of research and development (R&D), they often picture large corporations or specialist science, tech or pharmaceutical companies. This explains why, despite

Central Bedfordshire College is delighted to be expanding its course provision at its Leighton Buzzard campus.

Commenting on the announcement that the government will act on the BCC’s call to automatically issue businesses with an EORI number, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General, of the British Chambers of Commerce said:

East of England based Streets Chartered Accountants, a top 40 accountancy practice, hosted their eighth annual Charity Golf Day last month raising £7,256 for the Air Ambulance.

The Hatters return to the Championship, following back-to-back promotions has put Luton Town firmly in the spotlight. In the ground, season tickets were capped and sold out a 7,000

Marketing a commercial property for sale or rent can be a confusing and time-consuming process. It is essential to ensure everything is in place to achieve the maximum return from your property.

Many UK exporters are treading water at a time of deep uncertainty, according to the latest Quarterly International Trade Outlook from the British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with DHL.

Commenting on the latest UK GDP statistics, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“The latest figures suggest that the UK economy hit the buffers in the second quarter. We’re seeing the unwinding of heightened levels of stockpiling, growing

The Aircraft Research Association (ARA), based on the outskirts of Bedford, is one of the world’s leading providers of aerodynamic design and analysis services to the worldwide aerospace industry.

Risk Dashboard is a risk and case management platform designed to manage business risks and deliver growth.

• AA’s business services team urges fleet managers and rental companies to refresh drivers on requirements for driving in Europe this summer

The latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook from the British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with Totaljobs, finds that recruitment intentions strengthened in the second quarter of 2019, while difficulties finding suitable staff eased, but remain high by historic standards.

The world's biggest and most successful businesses didn't make it to where they are now without a few rough patches. If anything is guaranteed in the business world, it's that challenging times lie ahead.

Today the British Chambers of Commerce – which represents 75,000 firms of all sizes and sectors, employing 6 million people – has written to incoming Prime Minister Boris Johnson setting out 15 urgent, immediate steps that the PM must address on arrival in Downing Street to boost business confidence and stimulate the UK economy.

Commenting on the announcement that Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP has won the Conservative leadership contest and will be the next Prime Minister, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

The Millennium Country Park in the Forest of Marston Vale has been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as one of the very best in the world, for the 13th time in a row.

Centrality is a local company based in Meppershall, Bedfordshire that provides IT and technology services to a broad range of clients and businesses across the country. 

Identifying the best time to start the process of hiring a financial controller is a key decision requiring much thought. Before going into more detail, reflect on your business journey to date.

It used to be that a CEO would reach the top spot after years of having worked their way steadily up the corporate ladder. People would stay in one organisation for their entire career, and their experience and dedication to the business would earn them that coveted top spot.

There are only a handful of grants left for SMEs to benefit from support with the design, prototyping and testing of a new product, service or process or technical validation of a technology. 

With one in four women and one in six men suffering from domestic abuse in their lifetime, the human cost is immeasurable, and the financial cost to employers is high. 

Figures from the Home Office show that domestic abuse costs UK businesses almost £2bn(1) each year due to absences, lost wages, sick pay and a drop in productivity.

Commenting on the inflation statistics for June 2019, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“Inflation held steady in June, as the upward pressures from clothing and food were offset by weaker outturns in several price categories