News / Interviews
‘Lots of Bristol businesses want to see a long-term plan for the region’
Businesses in Bristol are showing resilience and green shoots of recovery despite the economic uncertainty faced by the country, according to the recent business quarterly report from Business West.
Further economic promise comes from a survey commissioned by Avison Young, which found the city’s economy is projected to grow by 8.9 per cent over the next five years, compared to 6.9 per cent for the whole UK.
In the face of these findings, Bristol24/7 interviews Victoria Matthews, Bristol director of Business West, to discuss the overall health of businesses and the challenges they face.
Matthews is responsible for managing the relationships with members, stakeholders and the businesses across Bristol on behalf of Business West, the umbrella body for the wider South West region.
She tells Bristol24/7 that uncertainty is a key issue for many. “We run quarterly economic surveys ‘taking the temperature’ of businesses in the region, asking about the challenges, opportunities and the biggest kind of issues in their business,” says Victoria.
“Something that comes up constantly is uncertainty in government. Lots of our local businesses want to see that long-term plan for the region and, arguably, we lack that at the moment now. So, people want to see investment in skills, infrastructure and net zero. It’s not just one thing. It needs to facilitate the whole ecosystem that’s trying to work to help businesses thrive and grow.”
“Something that comes up constantly is uncertainty in government,” says Victoria Matthews – photo Milan Perera
One of her main tasks is to ensures that the voice of the Bristol business is heard. On top her portfolio as the director of Bristol Initiative, Victoria sits on multiple boards across the city, including Bristol One City Economy Board and the Bristol Women’s Commission.
She describes the Bristol Chamber of Commerce as a sector agnostic member-organisation that brings together stakeholders from across the city including public, private and third sectors such as national and local government.
She sums up her motto in one sentence: “to make Bristol the best place to live, learn and work”.
“Bristol Chamber of Commerce plays a key role in helping local businesses capture and nurture opportunities, while maintaining Bristol’s reputation for businesses big and small” – photo: Business West
With a general election expected this year, Bristol24/7 asked Victoria what she expects from the politicians, both national and local.
She reiterated that Business West is an apolitical body that is not swayed either way, but she expected clear and concise strategy from politicians who are destined to represent the area.
“We have a long track record of working with local decision-makers and national decision-makers as well,” said Victoria.
“We are an apolitical organisation and we will work with whoever is in power to deliver for the region. We don’t have any kind of political sway either way. It’s very much working with whoever is in power to deliver for Bristol and the wider West of England.”
She added: “What we really hope for is the long-term initiatives. In the past five years, there has been a great deal of uncertainty with Brexit, cost of living crisis and Covid. Businesses are really resilient. What we hope to see from both national and local politicians is a strategy for long-term economic growth.”
Business West has around 20,000 local businesses, social enterprises, sole traders, cooperations, community organisations on their books including Bristol City Council, West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and the two Bristol-based universities.
Victoria says Bristol Chamber of Commerce plays a key role in helping local businesses capture and nurture opportunities, while maintaining the city’s reputation for businesses big and small.
“We just don’t work with your traditional businesses,” Victoria continued.
“You get a really good mix of community-led organisations and social enterprises and CICs. We are a member-led organisation. We work with businesses and represent them. We work on policy and strategy, based on what businesses telling us.”
On the challenges faced by Bristol businesses, Matthews singled out skills shortage. She said: “We are constantly voted one of the best places to live and work, which is great, but it means the competition for high quality is often challenging for businesses. Apart from skill shortage, transport constantly comes up as a bit of an impediment. It’s no secret that we have some challenges here.”
When we asked about the wider impact of Covid-19 on local businesses, Victoria pointed out that the local businesses displayed great deal of resilience, saying: “Of course there are winners and losers. With the incredible resilience they’ve displayed, businesses were able to streamline and adapt. Businesses became more innovative and flexible in the way you work. It’s been quite an interesting dynamic.”
She concluded: “I feel very privileged that I’m able to speak for this community and that they put their trust in me and Business West to do what’s best for the city. And we’ve got a huge history of regeneration.
“Connecting businesses and people with the decision-makers in Bristol is so crucial. Ultimately, we exist to make this area the best place it can be. We do that by working with incredible business leaders, politicians and communities. So, it’s not just the business community.”
Main photo: Milan Perera
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