A group of our Stafford Chamber Local Area Advisory Board (LAAB) members recently joined the Deputy CEO of Stafford Borough Council, Gregg Stott, to have a look at the centre of our County Town and identify some key discussion points on how to boost footfall and improve access.

In the space of an hour, we identified a number of areas which, if addressed, could help to significantly improve the appearance of the County Town. Commercial waste bins are an eyesore and moving these to the back of premises helps to increase space for pedestrians. Many commercial premises are blighted by graffiti, which creates a negative image.

During the previous week, it was announced that Stafford Borough Council had agreed to buy the town’s old Co-op department store as part of major transformation plans for the area. We welcome this news and see it as a very positive step in addressing the decline in both footfall and trade in the north end of Stafford Town Centre.   The acquisition of the former Co-op Department store will bring empty commercial premises back into use.

Like many towns across the country, Stafford has seen a drop in footfall, largely driven by changes in shopping patterns/habits and changes in working patterns following the pandemic, with many workers opting to work from home for part, or even all of the week.  Aspirations to fill empty commercial premises with retail continues to be a challenge and we acknowledge that one option is to look at conversion from retail into residential. A growing town centre population will use town centre retailers and spend money in the many leisure and hospitality venues across the centre of Stafford and we very much recognise the positive benefits that this can bring.

However, we continue make the call for more public services to be brought into the centre of Stafford. We really believe that this will drive footfall into the County Town.  One example could be the transfer of certain outpatient services.  At present, service users are travelling to County Hospital, which either involves a journey of two buses or driving around and looking for a car park space. Having outpatient services in the centre of Stafford would bring users into town by bus or train or using some of the town’s car parks.

Once in town, service users are likely to support other retailers, whether in the form of grabbing a coffee, collecting some dry cleaning or doing a food shop. It supports our hard-pressed town centre retailers and can make a real difference.  Having a retail option at the former Co-op store is a good thing but we would really welcome the scope to bring in more service provision for businesses, with office space and even business hubs for start-up entrepreneurs, as well as hot-desking space for those wanting to work for part of the week.

If you have any suggestions about how we can drive footfall into our County Town, our Stafford Chamber LAAB would be delighted to hear from you.  Your suggestions can be forwarded to: declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

I’ll start this week’s blog by turning the clock back to 25th September 2015. David Cameron was the Prime Minister. Barack Obama was the US President. The United Kingdom was a member of the European Union and Marko Arnautović was tearing up Premier League defences in a Stoke City shirt.

25th September 2015 also marked the date when the world adopted the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The SDG are a set of 17 goals which have been agreed by global leaders, in order to build a greener, fairer, better world by 2030 and every one of us has a role in achieving the SDG.

The SDG were agreed in 2015 and we’re now just over halfway to the target end date of 2030. As a global community, we face huge challenges in todays’ world. There is a need to reflect a shared aim across all countries to end poverty and hunger everywhere, to combat inequalities within and among countries, to build peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, to protect human rights and promote gender equality of women and girls and to ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources.

Huge challenges need bold action if we are to succeed and this is where the SDG play a part in achieving this, calling for worldwide collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society to deliver a powerful vision for improving our world by 2030.

Staffordshire Chambers’ of Commerce is proud to be a UN SDG Ambassador and we hope that more Staffordshire businesses will join us in showing their commitment to the Global Goals and the action that they’re already taking to combat major global challenges including climate change, decent work, gender inequality and poverty.

UN SDG are discussed across all of our Chamber policy forums to raise awareness of how we can collectively play our part in helping to overcome the global challenges and make a difference to the life experiences of people everywhere.

• Do you have sustainability pioneers on your organisation? Why not give them a platform! Encourage them to publish their stories and ideas on your company website and social media channels.

• Encourage your colleagues to commit to both personal and professional pledges towards achieving SDG.

• Encourage your company’s suppliers and customers to embrace your pledges towards achieving SDG.

All the information you need can be found here.

On Monday 25th September 2023, we’re hoisting the SDG flag to show our support for the SDG and to mobilise support in looking ahead to the next seven years. Whilst notable progress has been made across some of the 17 SDG, further effort is needed if we are to achieve the SDG by the start of the next decade. We hope you’ll join us and play your part in shaping a better world for all.

I’m delighted to announce that we are launching a new International Trade forum, open to our member businesses who export and import goods and services from overseas.

The forum will be tasked with exchanging information on international trade, exporting and importing and international trade policy. It will also steer Chamber representations on these matters.

The forum will also develop a Trade Manifesto for the local area and will meet for the first time at our Commerce House office (ST1 5BE), on Monday 20th November at 9AM.  If you’re a Chamber member who exports or imports goods and services, we’d love to hear from you and will welcome your support in joining us. Please email declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk to register your interest.

Our Chamber policy forums are a great way for member businesses to meet and discuss issues critical to their sector.  These forums enable our members to share knowledge and best practice but also help us to represent them better in our dealings with the media and government. Our forums are recognised by the British Chambers’ of Commerce as being among the most influential in the country.

We deliver eleven policy forums, covering the topics of:

• Charity
• Digital
• Energy, Environment and Sustainability
• HR, Employment and Skills
• HS2
• Manufacturers’
• Money Matters
• Planning & Infrastructure
• Rural Business
• Social Value & Procurement
• Transport

Each forum is made up of representatives from our member businesses and meets up several times across the year.   Key topics for discussion are identified, guest speakers are brought in and our forums pick up that role of highlighting the matters that concern our members, at both a national and regional level.   Each forum has its own Chair, who will steer both the meetings and objectives of that particular forum.

We welcome new faces in all of our policy forums but what’s in it for you and your business?    It’s a chance for your views to be heard and the opportunity to work collaboratively with your fellow Chambers’ members in influencing our policy role on specific topics.   You also get the chance to grow your networking contacts in similar sectors.   It could also be a perfect development opportunity for one of your team, helping to empower confidence.

Some of our forum members have gone on to join British Chambers’ of Commerce (BCC) policy groupings, getting their voices heard at a national level.

Being a part of our policy forums is not a huge commitment with no more than four meetings a year.  Meetings typically start at 9AM and last no more than an hour or so.

Being the voice of business is what we do but why not get involved and play your part….and remember that when the forum meetings are finished, you can pop next door to our Members’ Lounge and enjoy a brew whilst catching up on your e-mails.

For further details on our policy forums, please contact Declan Riddell:

declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

It’s election season at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, as we invite our members to apply for places on our local area advisory boards, in both Stafford and the Staffordshire Moorlands.  Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is the voice of business in Staffordshire and joining a local area advisory board is a great way to represent your local business community and provide the local input to matters of importance within that community.

Our Stafford Chamber Local Area Advisory Board (LAAB) has members representing the business community across an area south of The Potteries, down the M6 and over to Uttoxeter.  Meetings are typically held at our Stafford home, in Shire Hall Business Centre.

Staffordshire Moorlands is one of the most scenic parts of our county and is home to a diverse mix of businesses in both rural and urban locations.  Our Staffordshire Moorlands Chamber LAAB has a representation of businesses from across the area, stretching from Biddulph to Cheadle.  Meetings are typically held in Leek but will discuss and address key priorities across the Moorlands.

During this last year, representatives of both LAAB have joined us in meetings with local MPs, Karen Bradley, Sir Bill Cash and Theo Clarke.  We’ve used these meetings to raise key priorities such as boosting footfall in our town centres and transport infrastructure.

Guest speakers are invited to attend LAAB meetings to provide timely updates on upcoming developments and the impact on the local economy, meaning that our LAAB members are well informed about what’s happening.

We’re looking for applications from forward-thinking and influential Chamber members, with a determination to make a difference in the local business community.  We welcome applications from across a range of both business sector and size of business.   Being a LAAB member is not a huge commitment, with just five LAAB meetings across the year.  We’re mindful of your time and that’s why we aim to keep meetings to no more than two hours duration.

The applications process is quick and easy but the clock is ticking! You have until 5PM on Friday 29th September 2023 to submit your completed application, which can be obtained by contacting Jade Holloway: jade.holloway@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

On the theme of elections………

The major political parties will be holding their party conferences in the coming weeks.  With the next General Election having to take place before January 2025, the parties will be keen to regroup and prepare for a critical year ahead.

In the coming weeks, Staffordshire Chambers’ members are invited to join us in meetings with all of the North Staffordshire MPs:

Friday 29th September – Jack Brereton, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South.
Friday 13th October – Aaron Bell, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Friday 20th October – Jonathan Gullis, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North.
Friday 10th November – Jo Gideon, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central.

Our ‘Meet the MP’ meetings are a great way of connecting the business community and the locally elected MP, discussing the key issues of the day, including regeneration, transport infrastructure, skills and a wide range of other issues. With a General Election around the corner, what are the key issues your business is facing?

During the latest Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Energy, Environment, and Sustainability Forum, a presentation on ‘The Great Greenwashing Crackdown’ was delivered. The presentation covered the concepts of greenwashing and greenhushing and explained the differences between carbon neutral and net zero. Case studies, including a tour by Coldplay, were used to highlight the importance of ethically reporting green credentials. The latest ASA guidance on carbon neutral and net zero claims was also discussed, emphasizing the need for clarity and transparency in reporting.

A recent presentation by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust on biodiversity in commercial developments was commended, and the possibility of inviting Gigi Hennessey as a speaker for a future forum was suggested.

Apologies and an update from the City Council were sent, highlighting progress in connecting the Goods Yard Development to the District Heat Network and other infrastructure upgrades.

An update from Keele University discussed the Smart Energy Network Demonstrator. The university has hosted numerous guests, including international visitors.

Disappointment in the recent LSIP findings was expressed, and the importance of giving energy issues higher priority for review as LSIP develops was discussed.

An update on behalf of Staffordshire University mentioned their participation in a webinar on tackling commuter emissions in higher education. The university’s representative will discuss this further at the Chambers’ Transport forum in July.

During the forum, an update from SBEN mentioned new sponsorships from Michelin and Steelite, enabling them to continue offering free services. The importance of SDG 6, clean water, and sanitation was discussed, focusing on recent news stories about water quality and sanitation issues in the UK and globally.

During the latest Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Social Value Forum, attendees welcomed new members and discussed various topics related to social value and sustainable development goals.

The chosen sustainable development goals for the month were Quality Education, Good Health and Wellbeing, and No Poverty. The forum addressed the impact of poverty on health and wellbeing in Staffordshire communities and explored ways businesses could get involved in initiatives like “Stronger together through winter.” They discussed the rising demand for food banks and how employers could support their employees to alleviate pressure on these resources.

The Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) was introduced by Suzanne Quinn, aiming to reshape skills training to meet local employers’ needs. The LSIP process involves engaging with stakeholders, including employers, colleges, universities, and learners to understand their needs. Key findings included the need for more focus on Business Admin Level 2 training and supporting older workers returning to work.

The forum discussed the importance of work experience for young people and the need for schools, colleges, and universities to publicize the success stories of past students to inspire current students. They also explored the significance of social value in procurement and the challenges and best practices in integrating social value into procurement processes. The Responsible Business Scheme was mentioned as a way to support businesses in ensuring a sustainable supply chain and committing to social value.

Overall, the forum explored various ways to address social and community needs through collaboration between businesses and local stakeholders.

During the latest Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Planning and Infrastructure Forum, the concept of the ’15-minute city’ vision was discussed, which aims to meet most residents’ daily needs within a short walk or cycle ride from home. Members agreed that city infrastructure, such as cycle routes and paths, would need to be upgraded to support this vision.

A presentation on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s Local Plan was given, outlining the long-term vision and development strategy for the Borough. The Council seeks views from the business community on potential future large-scale employment-led sites in the Borough.

Updates were provided on the Local Plans of various District Councils, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were introduced and found to be relevant to the earlier discussions on the Local Plan.

In the “Any Other Business” section, it was reported that Mondrem CIC has been successful in improving the performance of council planning application teams, leading to a faster and better customer experience. Members also discussed the need for more support in the area of planning, with some being part of the British Chambers of Commerce Expert Planning Panel and meeting with Ministers to address this concern.

On Thursday 4th May, voters went to the polls in local elections taking place in many parts of Staffordshire. A week before we brought the then Leader of Stoke on Trent City Council, Cllr Abi Brown and the then Leader of the Opposition of Stoke on Trent City Council Cllr Jane Ashworth, together in our hustings event. Around 30 businesses attended and grilled both candidates on their future aspirations for the city.

Schemes earmarked for Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) – 2025-30 will continue to be developed and considered for inclusion within RIS 4, which will run from 2030-2035.In Staffordshire, this means no immediate improvements to the A50/A500, a key arterial route connecting the east and west of our region and a route described as a “North Midlands Manufacturing Corridor”, serving world recognised brands such as JCB. This route suffers from congestion at key pinch points, notably Uttoxeter and the urban area of North Staffordshire. It is disappointing to note that no further improvements would be ready for development until at least 2030. Transport is a key enabler to move people and goods and it’s essential for the A50/A500 to serve as a reliable route, particularly for a growing logistics sector in Staffordshire. We have written to Secretary of State for Transport (Rt Hon Mark Harper, MP), to outline our concerns about this delay.

We have written to Cllr David Williams (Cabinet Member for Highways & Transport, Staffordshire County Council), expressing concern about how Stafford grinds to a halt when traffic is diverted off the M6. When the M6 is closed there is a fundamentally different flow of traffic and altered priorities may reduce the gridlock in the town. Many of the road markings at key junctions in and around the town, have faded, creating confusion especially when the diversions are in place.

Furthermore, road surfacing at some of these key junctions has deteriorated and this creates a less than positive impression of Stafford. Thankfully road improvements are now planned to take place.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has proposed that WiFi connectivity on trains is withdrawn, and we have challenged this by writing to raise our objections to this proposal. A fast and reliable WiFi connection is expected by rail travellers.

We were also disappointed that East Midlands Rail is considering the withdrawal of some of the passenger services on the Crewe-Stoke-Derby line. Withdrawing rail services will make rail travel less attractive and becomes yet another barrier preventing us from leaving our cars at home.