One of the UK’s most prominent businesswomen has been in Nuneaton to hear what is holding back growth for local firms.
Baroness Martha Lane Fox, the president of the British Chambers of Commerce, visited Saints Nuneaton – a social enterprise, that supports a range of community groups – where she met a range of businesspeople from the region, representing manufacturing, IT, logistics and professional services.
Baroness Lane Fox, founder of Lastminute.com, chair of WeTransfer and a board member of Chanel, heard how recruitment and skills are a severe barrier to businesses being able to expand – a message she is receiving across the country.
Corin Crane, chief executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, also presented the regional Chamber’s Employment Land report which details how a shortage of space is preventing some local businesses from growing but is also holding back some inward investment into the region.
Baroness Lane Fox said: “We are in regular direct conversation with the Government and with the Opposition because they are very keen to hear from business on how we can get the economy moving.
“It’s vital, therefore, that we at the BCC hear from regional Chambers and their members and that was the whole point of the visit to Nuneaton.
“Every area has its own individual issues and I was very interested to hear about the shortage of employment land in this region and it is testament to Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce that it is, along with experts in the field, campaigning on the issue.
“Skills and recruitment is something that comes up in virtually every area I visit and it is something that this and future Governments – of whichever party – has a real job to solve.”
Crane said: “We were delighted to welcome Baroness Martha Lane Fox to the region for the second time in the space of a few months.
“It is great that we – as a Chamber – and all of our members belong to such an incredible organisation that is a voice for business and works relentlessly on behalf of firms across the country.”
Saints Nuneaton was opened by charity Together For Change in January 2020, in partnership with a group of Nuneaton churches, in the former Conservative Club in Newdegate Street.
Having supported people through the pandemic with food parcels, it is now a self-sustained café and offers a range of support to the whole community – from schoolchildren needing help with their homework through to value breakfasts for pensioners.
It also offers space for businesses to book for meetings or conferences.
Hannah Stevens, of Together For Change, said: “It’s great to host events such as this as it helps to raise the profile of who we are and what we do.”
Pictured: Regional business leaders meet Baroness Martha Lane Fox in Nuneaton