🩵 ESSEX SMALL BUSINESSES — WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU?
Last night I had the pleasure of speaking at the Maldon Reform branch meeting, held at the lovely Wibblers Brewery in Southminster.
With five Essex County Councillors, district councillors and other local representatives in the room, my colleague Chris Benn asked the brewery owner a brilliant question:
“What can we do for you?”
And it’s a question I want to ask every small-business owner in Essex!
The owner spoke about the challenges of keeping his brewery afloat, particularly during COVID, when it was classed as manufacturing rather than hospitality, affecting the grants available.
I could completely relate!
I’ve run Catering Elite for 24 years, supplying staff exclusively to hospitality and catering. When our entire industry shut down during COVID, we didn’t qualify for hospitality grants either because we were classed as recruitment.
And now we’re hearing about businesses like Bowen Pies in Chorley, which has had to close one of its three shops because of rising costs.
A busy business isn’t necessarily a profitable business. TURNOVER IS NOT PROFIT!
Small businesses are the backbone of our high streets, creating jobs, supporting families and keeping communities thriving.
So I want to hear from YOU!
What are your biggest challenges? Business rates? Energy? Employment costs? Recruitment? Red tape?
What could councils or government do differently to help?
🩵 And if you run a small business in Rochford North, Hockley or Hullbridge, please email me directly:
📧 cllr.s.preston-hall@essex.gov.uk
As your elected Essex County Councillor, I’m here to listen, help and support you wherever I can.
I’ve been in business for 24 years. I understand the sleepless nights, the financial pressures and the determination it takes to keep going.
Let’s start listening to the people actually running Britain’s businesses!
#SmallBusiness #EssexBusiness #RochfordNorth #Hockley #Hullbridge #Maldon #WibblersBrewery #CateringElite #Hospitality #SupportLocalBusiness #Essex #HighStreet