20 FOR 2020
of the King's Quarter in Gloucester continues. “The industrial sector continues to perform well with strong occupier demand and a continuing under supply of units and the local office market remains buoyant. “2020 has potential to be an exciting time for the county, however we will no doubt face similar challenges to the rest of the UK, with some political and economic matters still unresolved.” Kevan Blackadder, director of Cheltenham BID “While the retail market is under significant pressure, Cheltenham BID is working with a range of public and private partners to try to ensure that premises can be adapted to attract new tenants. This may be through working with landlords on change-of-use to residential or offices. "It is important, at the same time, that there are a range of experiences available that attract people to the town throughout the year. That is why we have become The Festival Town and are planning events big and small throughout 2020.” Steve Dechan is chairman of the business group set up to champion the Five Valleys, Stroud Voice, and managing director and founder of Platform-14 “One word for 2020 is ‘pivot’. The ability to adapt to regulation and market changes. Get Exporting! Small or big companies should join official chambers of commerce/ trade bodies. “These bodies will guide you on how to sell abroad. Stroud district council elections in May. What are councillors doing about our brain drain, promoting the district as a business location?” Qing Lin, chief executive officer of Cirencester-headquartered Join in China “Looking beyond 2020 and post-Brexit, it’s even more vital for UK SMEs to trade more on a global scale, to increase exporting to support the need for growth. “Going into a new year and into the 2020s, town centres face significant challenges, which I believe can become opportunities.
“The challenge for local businesses facing international trade usually lies in how and where to find a trustworthy source of information, and how to prepare for the export journey, as well as protecting themselves along the way. “One is the first things when preparing for international trade is to do the homework by understanding your targeted markets as much as possible and plan at least three visits before committing.” David Owen is chief executive officer of GFirst LEP challenges through 2020 for all businesses, large and small. Our best advice is to follow the Gov.uk website and to speak to your local Growth Hub to make sure your business is as prepared as it can be. “For GFirst LEP, Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership, for the first time we will be looking to appoint a new chair. In July, after nine years at the helm, Dr Diane Savory will be stepping down in her role as chair. “She will have completed nine full years in the role, and that is the maximum period a chair can stay in the role as outlined in our governance arrangements. “Diane has done an amazing job as chair, she has been an ambitious and inspiring leader and her passion for Gloucestershire is second to none. She has ensured that Gloucestershire is well and truly on the map across all government departments. She will be an incredibly tough act to follow. “And so, from next month, the search will be on for a new chair for GFirst LEP. Keep an eye on our website for further details.” Will Abbott, a partner, chartered accountant and business growth adviser at Randall & Payne "As Boris said about Brexit, 2020 is the year to get things done! A common challenge for business leaders is the feeling that there seems to be less time and more plate spinning. "Now that we have entered the ‘transition period’ with the European Union, there will be opportunities and
20 | February 2020 | www. punchline-gloucester .com
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