York and North Yorkshire Chamber president calls for prompt action

The President of York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has set out to the business community what she wants to see happen over the next two years of her term of office.

Bridget Davies, managing director of Minster FM radio station, spoke at the annual dinner of York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce last night.

As well as highlighting the many great facets and attractions that the city has, Davies called for firm and prompt action in a number of policy areas that will make York & North Yorkshire even more successful.

Bridget noted that, due to the region’s already successful reputation, York’s talent pool is stretched, forcing employers to cast their net ever wider for quality staff; she also reminded those present that the city recently won the Sunday Times’ ‘best place to live in the UK’ award for 2018.

The Chamber president also stressed the areas that are hampering businesses from being more successful: transport, planning, housing, and digital connectivity all being underlined.  In particular, Bridget mentioned the continued lack of a Local Plan, the dualling of the A64, devolution, and developing mobile connectivity in rural areas as being of importance.

Davies said: “As a Chamber we are supporting and connecting companies to help them grow and expand in the city, we want to see new companies locate in the city; we want our universities to continue to grow and deliver graduates and innovation support to businesses.

“However, without a local plan we will continue failing to deliver the housing our workforce needs at prices they can afford. Without a local plan we are saying that we are effectively closed for business. I know work is progressing towards the completion of this important document but it must be ambitious, something we feel it is currently lacking.”

Keynote speaker at the event, held at the city’s National Railway Museum, was radio and TV presenter, Jeremy Vine.   Event sponsors were HSBC, the Business Enterprise Fund, Chamber International, Lupton Fawcett, Portakabin, Saville Audio Visual, Shepherd Group, Seat and Uber.

Davies became President of York & North Yorkshire Chamber in 2017; Vice-President is Andrew Digwood of Rollitts LLP.