Local business leaders began 2023 by coming together for a roundtable discussion with Orpington Member of Parliament Gareth Bacon.
Organised by Orpington 1st BID and hosted by local firm Clarkson Wright & Jakes Solicitors, the meeting was attended by a selection of Orpington business owners and senior personnel from key organisations representing a broad range of sectors.
Ahead of the Spring Budget, the meeting provided a forum in which to exchange ideas, discuss the challenges and opportunities facing local businesses, as well as looking at the broader economic landscape.
Subjects raised included business rates and corporation tax, business energy, planning, housing and regeneration, the impact of Brexit, challenges to recruitment, the role out of 5G, policing, and decarbonisation.
Gareth Bacon MP commented "We're lucky to have a wide variety of impressive local businesses in Orpington town centre, and as Orpington's MP, I want to help them succeed, grow and employ more people locally.
"It's been a challenging time for local enterprises, from the pandemic to the energy crisis today. But I'm pleased the government's unprecedented support from furlough to energy bill relief has kept them going.
"It was great to speak to a wide range of businesses about how we can grow Orpington's economy and improve the town centre, much of which we have already delivered on, like additional police officers and energy bill support.
"I will take their ideas on what more we can do to support local businesses back to Westminster as part of my work delivering for Orpington."
Orpington 1st BID Executive Director Chris Travers said, “The BID provides a strong voice for our business community and we’re pleased to facilitate opportunities like this to ensure that voice is heard by our elected representatives. Thank you to Clarkson Wright & Jakes for their hospitality.”
