Somerset Chamber works on a number of local policy campaigns on behalf of member businesses, campaigning for improvements to both physical and digital infrastructure, highlighting the need for the right skills and training and ensuring Somerset gets a fair share of funding for its business community.
Good highway connections are essential for Somerset business and the Chamber supports the proposed dualling of both roads. Highways England published its document, “Improving journeys to the South West – the case for the A303/A358 corridor” back in February 2018. We will continue to campaign on behalf of our members for all of the individual dualling schemes listed as part of the highways upgrade to be fully-funded and implemented as soon as possible.
Connectivity is vital for local businesses and the wider South West. Our members consistently tell us slow broadband speeds and poor connections are hampering the growth of their businesses. We need to make sure our digital infrastructure is suited to the needs of modern-day operations and processes. The Chamber will continue to campaign for faster broadband and quicker installation to ensure businesses remain competitive in our increasingly digital economy. The findings of our county-wide broadband survey will enable us to help businesses, by identifying problem areas and trying to find solutions to the issue of poor coverage and slow connection speeds.
Gravity near Bridgwater, Nexus 25 near Taunton and the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone near Midsomer Norton and Radstock. Just some of the many business parks being built around the county. It is vital we support investment in the infrastructure needed to support new jobs, innovation and ‘clean growth’ – we want the county to embrace leading-edge areas such as Artificial Intelligence, advanced engineering and robotics. These business parks provide much needed space for businesses to grow and flourish. The Chamber will actively encourage these and other developments which help businesses to start-up, relocate, expand or diversify through the provision of dedicated business parks and spaces.
The Chamber is actively championing Somerset and the South West as a great place to do business. We are a founder member of the British Chambers of Commerce South West South West which gives the region a single, strong voice for business from Cornwall and Devon to Somerset, Bristol and Dorset. We want fair funding and investment for the South West, coupled with good transport links to help the South West be a leading light in the UK economy.
The Chamber is working in partnership with HPC developer EDF Energy to provide a local supply chain to maximise the benefits of the largest construction project in Europe for Somerset, South West and South Wales companies. We support the construction of the first new nuclear power station in a generation and will continue to work with local companies once HPC is built and new opportunities arise at Sizewell C and Bradwell.
Good transport links are essential for business and it is important the region is not left out on a limb. The Chamber is supporting the proposed expansion of Bristol Airport in North Somerset as it will bring new jobs and open up new trade routes and links for businesses.
Through our partnership with the Somerset Education Business Partnership, the Chamber will continue to support local training providers, schools and colleges to ensure tomorrow’s school leavers and graduates have the skills employers need. The partnership is an important link between the business and education communities and the Chamber will work to ensure the necessary investment in skills and training to support the needs of our members.
Join Somerset Chamber of Commerce to give your business a stronger voice both locally, regionally and nationally. Combined with local town chambers, we represent over 2,000 businesses across Somerset with a direct line to policy-makers at all levels.
