President's column: Sunny days for Burton businesses

As the weather takes a turn and the nation braces for cold Arctic breezes, businesses in Burton are still basking in their summer days, writes Richard Wileman (pictured).

Amid the many improvements and successes in the region, the opening of the ibis Styles hotel, operated by First Inn Group, takes centre stage.

This milestone comes as Staffordshire County Council approves a £4.86 million plan to recognise and promote the county’s cultural heritage, aiming to attract more visitors to the area.

In a bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the council is also offering free energy assessments and grants to local businesses. Companies may be eligible for interest-free loans ranging from £5,000 to £200,000 to support green projects, repayable within two years. I will be joining the launch party along with head of Burton Chamber Richard Brooks to represent businesses in the region.

Elsewhere, Burton Albion Football Club has seen significant changes, with the Nordic Football Group gaining majority ownership and Fleur Robinson stepping into the role of chief executive, taking the reins from her father and long-serving chairman Ben Robinson. As a Chamber, we are taking steps to remain an important part of the club’s ties.

The Brewers’ stadium will also host the annual Burton YMCA sleepout on 25 October, aiming to raise £50,000. The charity’s work is vital to the town, and I encourage everyone to support this meaningful event. For those unable to attend in person, the sleepout can also be done at a venue of your choice, even on your own sofa at home. I will be attending the event along with Richard Brooks to show our support in this timely cause.

Burton South and Derbyshire College (BSDC) continue to play an instrumental role in shaping the next generation. As a Chamber, we were proud to sponsor the Young Entrepreneur Award at BSDC’s Apprenticeships and FE Awards on 19 September.

The unity of Burton’s diverse business community remains our greatest strength. However, the national business landscape is not without its challenges. The UK economy has flatlined for the second consecutive month, despite analysts predicting 0.2 per cent growth. Next month’s Autumn Budget will be crucial, as the government must carefully balance its measures to create a blueprint for economic recovery.

Improved access to affordable childcare and better-coordinated support services are essential for helping local residents stay in work, especially following the recent drop in UK wage growth to 5.1 per cent. We remain hopeful that the Autumn Budget will see the government working closely with the Bank of England to ease cost pressures on businesses and households alike.

On a more positive note, the government’s decision to extend two major investment schemes aimed at start-ups is encouraging. The Enterprise Investment Scheme and the Venture Capital Trust scheme, both initially set to end on 6 April 2025, have been extended by ten years to 5 April 2035. These schemes offer investors up to 30 per cent upfront income tax relief and exemption from capital gains tax on profits made from the sale of shares, providing a much-needed boost to entrepreneurial ventures.

During my tenure as president, I am committed to building resilience and ensuring we stay strong through challenging times. One such effort is our annual Burton Celebratory Lunch next month, a momentous occasion to recognise the talent and resilience of our business community.

The awards will celebrate an up-and-coming start-up, the next generation of talent through the Future Face of the Year award, and Burton’s Business of the Year. As president, I will also be sponsoring and presenting an award to a business that has gone above and beyond in supporting the locality.

If your business is based in Burton, I encourage you to apply. The process is free, and you do not need to be a Chamber member.

If you would like more information on Burton & District Chamber of Commerce, or to attend one of our events, please feel free to contact me on richardwileman@selectcarleasing.co.uk or Richard Brooks on r.brooks@birmingham-chamber.com

Richard Wileman is the president of Burton & District Chamber of Commerce and principal of Select Car Leasing Burton On Trent