LOCAL business owners, entrepreneurs, employers and self-employed people came together at the Halliwell Jones Stadium this week for the Warrington Means Business Forum.
Hosted by Warrington Conservatives, the event featured Ben Fletcher, Conservative candidate for Mayor of Cheshire and Warrington, alongside Jack Thwaites, Deputy Chair Political of Warrington Conservative Federation, and Cllr John Roddy.
Jack, who has spent much of his working life in business, spoke about the increasing pressures facing local employers, including taxation, employment costs, business rates and regulation.
He highlighted the Government’s increase in employers’ National Insurance from 13.8% to 15%, alongside the reduction in the threshold at which employers begin paying it from £9,100 to £5,000.
Jack said: “Warrington has a fantastic business community, but businesses are facing increasing pressures and costs.
“We have recently seen long-established businesses in Warrington close their doors. Hancock & Wood, which traded in the town for 112 years, specifically highlighted employment costs, utilities, business rates and regulation when announcing its closure.
“I also believe there is a lack of practical business experience within Warrington Borough Council and government. Decisions taken locally affect businesses every single day, and we need people making those decisions to understand what it is actually like to run a business, meet a payroll, invest your own money and create jobs.”
Jack said the purpose of the forum was not simply to speak to businesses, but to listen directly to employers, entrepreneurs and the self-employed about the challenges they face.
He added: “Government at every level needs to understand business and create an environment in which people are encouraged to take risks, invest, employ people and grow.
“This shouldn’t be a one-off event. We want to continue engaging with businesses across Warrington and make sure their voices are heard.”
Ben Fletcher also addressed attendees and discussed the local economy and the role the new Cheshire and Warrington mayoralty could play in supporting economic development.
