Chamber news from Peter Carey

Peter Carey

Peter Carey is the Rochdale President of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. Parts of the borough are going through a transitional process at the moment. With the ongoing building work for the Metrolink project and the construction of the new council building now underway, areas of the town centre look like a battlefield. However, it is important to remember what the end result is going to be and that a short period of disruption to the borough will significantly improve our infrastructure and town hall facilities in the long term.

Following the Chancellor’s Budget report, Rochdale businesses are now waiting to see how they will be impacted by the new measures that are being put in to place. As usual, the full details of what was announced emerge later, but initially, the Budget appears to have hit the mark on several issues that the Chamber has been lobbying for on behalf of its members. The delay and cut in fuel duty was one of the most high profile decisions, and members had made their opposition to another fuel increase clear over the last few weeks, so it is good that Government is listening to the business community. The potential simplification of the tax system and halt on a range of new legislation is also good news. These are exactly the things to do to give businesses breathing space to take stock of the current economic situation, develop their plans and go for growth.

More details have emerged about the Rochdale Business Awards, taking place for the first time this year at Rochdale Town Hall. Businesses will be able to nominate themselves from May onwards in one of nine different categories. Entries will need to be in by September, and the ceremony is set to take place in early November. It promises to be a fantastic occasion, celebrating all that is good about Rochdale’s business community. Look out for further details over the next few weeks and a dedicated website which will be launching soon.

For more information about the Chamber’s Local Council here in Rochdale and the work we do, feel free to contact me via email: peter.carey@sedgwick-phelan.co.uk. Chamber members can also get in touch with me or Michelle Geoghegan, our Local Policy Manager, about any issues they’d like to discuss, or if they have any positive news stories they would like to share, michelle.geoghegan@gmchamber.co.uk.