Record attendance for Shropshire’s annual business summit

(l-to-r) Keith Barrow, Mandy Thorn, Clive Wright, Steve Charmley.

More than 120 businesses attended this year’s Shropshire Business Summit at Shrewsbury Town FC’s Meadow stadium on Monday (8 June 2015) – a record attendance for this annual event.

Hosted by Shropshire Council, this year’s summit told the gathered business people about work being carried out to support economic development in the county.

Speakers included Councillor Keith Barrow, Leader of Shropshire Council; Mandy Thorn, chair of Shropshire Business Board; Clive Wright, Shropshire Council’s chief executive; and Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for business and culture.

Topics covered included Shropshire Council’s response to diminishing budgets; key project achievements of the Shropshire economic growth strategy, and approved projects in the pipeline; and first indications of the new Government’s economic policy.

Steve Charmley said:

“It was great to see so many businesses in attendance. The turnout at this year’s summit is testament to the energy and enthusiasm our county has to grow the economy.”

The event also heard from Paul Forrest, an economist from West Midlands Economic Forum, who gave a fascinating insight into potential opportunities for Shropshire to grow its economy, in light of combined authorities and the Northern Powerhouse.

Paul Forrest said:

“Shropshire has many key strengths, and with improved transport links can make a huge contribution to the West Midlands devolution agenda.”

Shropshire Council, working with Shropshire Business Board, has an economic growth strategy which sets out the priority sectors and projects for Shropshire over the coming years.

Transport and infrastructure projects include provision and extension of business parks to support local business and job creation.