Queen praises work of Midlands business chambers
The Queen has offered support to businesses as they reopen and praised the contribution Chambers of Commerce across the UK are making to help firms, champion trade and rebuild communities, in a letter released today.
The Black Country Chamber of Commerce said it had received a huge boost from the letter received from Buckingham Palace, via the British Chambers of Commerce.
Working throughout the crisis, the team in Wolverhampton has worked tirelessly to support members and businesses across the region as the pandemic engulfed the country and businesses in every sector closed their doors.
Setting up an emergency helpline at the very beginning of the crisis and feeding in vital information to support the lobbying efforts of the British Chambers, the chamber team has, on a daily basis, issued updates and guidance for every business sector, organised free webinars and e-clinics with leading industry experts, political figures and Government ministers, communicated all government guidance and given free membership and subscription holidays to new and existing members.
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The launch of several new support packages are helping businesses with everything from finding finance to legal support and the launch of a new All-Parliamentary Group on the Black Country economy will, going forward, help the region’s business community connect with policy makers helping with the economic recovery of the Black Country.
Jude Thompson, president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce said: “I am incredibly proud of the team at the chamber, so to read this letter from The Queen is testament to everyone’s hard work and dedication.
“Our work to lobby on behalf of our members and offer vital business support, is more important than ever now as we face the biggest economic downturn this country has ever experienced, there has never been a more important time for businesses to connect with us.
“The work that is being been done to champion the issues our members face, to lobby legislators, to give our members a stronger voice at national and international levels and to play our part in rebuilding business and the economy is vital.
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“Chambers of commerce are at the very heart of their local business community, our own chamber here in the Black Country is over 170 years old, and we strongly believe that business is done better together.”
The effectiveness of the chambers’ collective advocacy, for the issues businesses face during these uncertain times, has led to funding for employee retention, the extension of the furlough scheme - helping to safeguard millions of jobs and provide flexibility for employers, the introduction of the three-month suspension of VAT payments, income support for the self-employed, support for start-ups, SMEs, high growth companies and apprenticeships and the protection for commercial tenants.
The letter from Her Majesty, patron of the British Chambers of Commerce, came as The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited local businesses in Norfolk to hear about their experiences of the pandemic and how they are beginning to return to a new normal.
The letter reads: “At a time of great difficulty for many, it is heart-warming to see the civic response and generosity of so many businesses, small and large, to the challenges posed, whether supporting the health sector or vulnerable communities.”
Her Majesty also recognised the contribution chambers of commerce and their members have made during the pandemic: “As patron of the British Chambers of Commerce, it gives me great pride to see the contribution you and your members are making to help firms, champion trade and rebuild communities.”
Greater Birmingham is along among the chambers praised and its president Steve Allen said: “It is wonderful to see HM The Queen recognise the important contribution that Chambers of Commerce have made to help business communities during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I could not be more proud of the work that the entire team at the Chamber have undertaken in supporting business throughout this difficult period.
“This has included supporting our business community by identifying government support, highlighting gaps in that support, engaging our members in a series of important webinars and most importantly keeping communication going, demonstrating the value of the Chamber.
“As we slowly emerge from this crisis, the Chamber will be front and centre in helping the business community get back on its feet and Her Majesty’s statement today is a welcome boost to all those efforts.”
