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

Colworth Park, a science park which offers a collaborative environment for its occupiers to share and develop new ideas, is home to a new cybersecurity venture – Colworth Solutions.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today (Monday) slightly upgraded its UK growth forecast for 2017 from 1.4% to 1.5%. Its expectations for growth in 2018 and 2019 remain unchanged at 1.3% and 1.5% respectively.

Commenting on the Queen’s Speech, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

“It’s never too late to become a reservist” says 44 year old Mark Farrant from Bedford. The Police Inspector with Bedfordshire Police joined the Royal Air Force Police (3 Tactical Police Squadron) just under two years ago and hasn’t looked back since.

30 year-old Adam Kent spends his working day analysing, auditing and reporting on a portfolio of nineteen thousand trucks for Mercedes-Benz. But when he’s not behind his desk he takes on a second equally responsible role in the Army Reserve.

On the day negotiations begin on the UK's departure from the European Union, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Commenting on the General Election, Cheryl Smart MBE, Chief Executive of the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, said:

We are delighted to announce the latest addition to Clarity, as Sean-Paul Hodges joins us as the new director of our growing digital team.

Manufacturers have been confirming their final model line-up for Company Car in Action as they prepare to bring hundreds of vehicles to the UK’s biggest drive and decide event.

NHS Cyber Attacks – Simple Ways You Can Reduce Your Risks

Businesses in all parts of the UK, particularly rural areas, are experiencing full or partial ‘not-spots’ in their mobile coverage according to the results of a survey released today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

The BBC's Victoria Derbyshire Programme is planning to host an election debate in the Luton area and is offering people the opportunity to apply to be in the audience.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today launched ‘Brexit and Beyond’, the Chamber Network manifesto for General Election 2017.

Peli BioThermal, a global leader in providing the life science industry with the broadest range of passive single-use and reusable temperature controlled packaging, is pleased to announce it has been awarded the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise for Innovation.

The Acuity Brands company Holophane Europe has won one of the UK’s most prestigious business awards.

Ecotile Flooring Ltd manufacture PVC interlocking floor tiles in Luton, Bedfordshire. The company was started in 1996 from his home by James Gedye who is still CEO. 

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today publishes its Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and most authoritative private sector business survey. 

Digital skills are increasingly important to the operation of businesses in the UK but companies are facing a shortage of skills in their workforce

From 3 April 2017, during office hours, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) will no longer automatically respond to Automatic Fire Alarms (AFAs) from premises that do not provide sleeping accommodation (i.e. offices, shops, factories, schools, local authority buildings).

March 30th 2017: Luton-based construction firm Ryebridge has been awarded a multi-million-pound contract as part of London Luton Airport’s (LLA) current transformation project. The £7 million contract will directly support 40 local jobs including 3 apprentices.

Commenting on the Great Repeal Bill White Paper, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

"Business communities around the UK want day-one certainty on the rules and regulations they will face when the UK leaves the EU. For that reason, the premise of stability and continuity at the heart of the Great Repeal Bill is welcome.

Commenting on the triggering of Article 50 by the Prime Minister, Theresa May, Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Businesses across the UK, particularly in rural areas, are still without reliable broadband connections, despite companies saying the availability of fully functional broadband is extremely important to their operations, according to the results of a survey released today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

A high performance car parts firm which was struggling to get out of first gear due to its slow internet connection has seen business transformed thanks to the introduction of superfast broadband by WarwickNet.

The Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy has published a list of the strangest excuses for underpaying National Minimum Wage.

Commenting on the interest rate decision by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

A recent national survey stated that owners of commercial buildings have 20% of the wealth in the UK.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today upgraded its UK GDP growth forecast for 2017 from 1.1% to 1.4%. However, it has downgraded its expectations slightly for 2018 from 1.4% to 1.3%, and published its first forecast for 2019 of 1.5% growth.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has  launched its flagship Chamber Business Awards at London Stock Exchange. Scientifica, last year’s winner of the ‘Business of the Year’ award based in Sussex, had the honour of opening trading at London Stock Exchange, accompanied by Nus Ghani, Conservative MP for Wealden, and Ana Christie, Chief Executive of Sussex Chambers of Commerce.

Giving his initial reaction to the Chancellor’s Budget, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: