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

At Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, our members are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why earlier this year we ran our Member Perception Survey, to better understand what you value most, where we can improve, and how we can ensure your Chamber membership delivers even greater impact for your business.

With so many major new projects planned in Bedfordshire, there’s a strong sense in the county and its businesses of a new future on our doorstep.

It’s a groundswell of transformation that will bring with it wealth, job creation, strengthened infrastructure, greater connectivity, extensive new business opportunities for the regional supply chain, and – not least - the reinvigoration of communities and places.

The drive to promote economic growth across the UK has long been a key focus for policymakers, with ambitious plans designed to stimulate business expansion and regional development.

As an accredited Chamber with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce remains committed to helping local businesses understand and benefit from these evolving opportunities.

The announcement of Vauxhall's decision to close its van manufacturing facility in Luton is undeniably a blow and a severe setback for our community.

At Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, we’re all about making local business succeed – and this is a commitment CEO Justin Richardson is steeped in.

An accountant by trade, Justin quickly found out he had a knack for identifying and solving business issues by focusing on people, systems, and processes. Initially brought on board at the Chamber on a temporary basis to implement a finance system and manage public sector contracts, he now leads and steers the entire organisation - with, as he’s quick to point out, the support of an excellent and dedicated team.

As the nation held its breath for the outcome of the General Election on 4^th July, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) had already made its intentions clear - whatever the result.

It would continue to champion the cause of our businesses, our towns and cities, and our communities at the top table in Westminster.

And as members of BCC, at Bedfordshire Chambers we’re proud to be part of that process. But what do the objectives look like?

Nobody has a crystal ball, and the outcome of the forthcoming General Election is far from certain.

But whichever party gets into power, it will make no difference to the five-point election action plan that the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) - of which we at Bedfordshire Chamber are a member - is calling on the post 4^th July Government, of whatever hue, to deliver against.

The future of the economy may sound like an awfully big topic – and one you can’t influence. But in fact these conversations – and some great networking opportunities that go with them - are within your reach!

The Chancellor’s Spring Budget, delivered yesterday (7^th March at the time of writing) is, it’s fair to say, hardly a business game-changer.

That said, there’s perhaps more business benefit in it than initially meets the eye - and not least because it contains changes that we, through our connection to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), lobbied for.

Here’s a brief overview of what we believe are the Budget’s most important business takeaways.

Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Central Bedfordshire Council, is proud to announce the launch of a targeted support programme aimed at assisting businesses engaged in, or aspiring to engage in, international trade.

On 22nd November, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt made his Autumn Statement to Parliament – and despite the challenges of the past three years there were positives in it for businesses in our county.

Here’s our overview of what you need to know, the changes and the continuities you should expect, how you will benefit from them, and other developments you need to be aware of.

Lobbying and policy are possibly not the most exciting or glamorous elements of doing business, but in the background, they’re constantly working to influence decisions, sway opinion, and articulate your business’s hopes, fears, and interests, at local, regional, and national level.

Staff retention is a hot topic for today’s businesses – and the figures prove the point. On average, employee turnover rates in the UK have increased by 7.7% since 2019, and are estimated to increase even more in 2023, with a total predicted turnover rate of 35.6%.

Small businesses are stronger when they’re part of something bigger, but also when they’re part of something local. And with membership of the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, you get the best of both worlds, as you’re also connected to the nationwide force for business that is the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

As the new financial year kicks in on 6^th April, your business will naturally find itself focused on the challenges and opportunities the new year will bring – projecting leads, assessing pipeline, forecasting income, and planning budgets.

“Cutting and simplifying” – this is how the Government headlined its 2023 Spring Budget.

So, we did some cutting and simplifying of our own, boiling the budget down into its business essentials to highlight the changes and opportunities you need to be aware of - and how we at the Chamber help our members take action to get on top of them.

It’s been a busy few weeks here at the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce.

We welcomed a visit from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Director General, Shevaun Haviland, published the results on an opinion poll on the planned expansion of Luton Airport, met with Vauxhall to discuss electric vehicle strategy and funding, and hosted a Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) event to help businesses combat the skills shortage.

With the usual yearly flurry of cards, chocolates and flowers, Valentine’s Day has come and gone again.

But whilst we hope you and your beloved enjoyed the occasion, here at Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce we believe in spreading the love all year round - in a strictly professional sense, of course.

On 6^th February 1952, Queen Elizabeth II succeeded to the throne when the UK was exhausted from war and rationing. But on her watch, the economy soon began to boom. New shopping centres and housing were built, followed by the first motorway.

Whether you’re a sole trader or a small, medium or large business, joining a local network or organisation designed to support businesses like yours is a big decision. No one wants to spend money on a membership that won’t help their business.

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.

Need a gift? Chocolate makes you fat, flowers die quickly, wine is expensive. You need SPIKE!

Spike Cacti is the brainchild of Jonny Williams - The Chamber’s youngest member at just 10 years old.

Commenting on the publication of the first tranche of UK Government technical notices aimed at giving businesses and consumers advice on the implications of a 'no deal' exit from the European Union, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Accountant, Keith Middleton, reached a significant milestone in his career on 19 August as he celebrated 50 years’ service with George Hay Chartered Accountants.

Keith joined George Hay in August 1968 and was a partner in the firm from 1997-2017. 

Row of typical English terraced houses in West Hampstead, London.

An extension of the mandatory Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing will come in to effect from 1st October 2018, 

The new Bedford i-Hub on Cauldwell Street is set to open in October creating a new business incubator centre in the middle of our county town.

Following investment by Bedford Borough Council, the i-Hub is bringing a 3000 sq.ft Georgian building 

Commenting on the first estimate of GDP for Q2 2018, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said

Commenting ahead of the publication of technical notices from the government relating to the possibility of ‘no deal’ in the Brexit negotiations, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Hear from Emma, Julie and Meena, Gary, Wayne and Chris talking about how they've secured investment in their businesses through the expertise of local projects part-funded through European funding.

Employers across the UK suspected of providing false or misleading information to The Pensions Regulator about how they are meeting their automatic enrolment duties, will now be targeted with short notice inspections.