'This is a town that pulls together and powers forwards'

In this latest Burton & District Chamber of Commerce column, president RICHARD WILEMAN, who is also the principal of Select Car Leasing's East Midlands office, looks at recent and upcoming successes as a sign that Burton is thriving due to community strength...

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N three simple words - Burton is thriving. Despite broader challenges facing businesses from persistent inflation to economic uncertainty and workforce pressures - Burton is bucking the trend.

At the heart of this resilience lies one key factor strong support for business and community strength.

That support is being led by the Burton & District Chamber the official voice for East Staffordshire businesses and part of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, which also represents areas including Lichfield, Tamworth, and Cannock Chase through its wider network.

In a move to give businesses across this region a stronger voice, the chamber has commissioned the Staffordshire Gateway Growth Panel - a new forum of business leaders dedicated to identifying growth barriers and championing enterprise in our local areas.

This panel will deliver a report, shining a light on local priorities and challenges ahead of the upcoming local authority changes tied to devolution.

Through a region-wide survey, businesses will be able to share their insights, making it one of the most ambitious engagement projects of its kind in Staffordshire.

The final report will be presented to MPs and local government leaders, ensuring that policy is shaped by real business intelligence.