The high failure rate of small businesses and the need to support female company founders were among the topics discussed at a round table workshop with Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Jo Gideon.
It was the latest in a series of discussions hosted by creative agency Lawrence Davis, at its Chimneys House HQ in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, aimed at bringing local SMEs together with politicians.
The idea of the events is to enable local businesspeople to talk freely in a relaxed and focussed environment and share common challenges.
Jo was joined at the event by Matt Bridger, Constituency Manager and Senior Communications Adviser.
As well as Lawrence Davis Managing Director Dawn Bezus, those around the table represented a diverse range of sectors.
They included: Laura Harding and Alison Niebieszczanski of Woolliscrofts Solicitors; Mark Berrisford, Mantec Technical Ceramics; Emma Shutt, Diamond Families; Anita Tweats, The Finance People; Sean Farrell, Profit Growth and Gary Smith, SPE Precision Engineering.
Among a raft of topics, discussions also turned to transport infrastructure in and around Hanley and concerns were raised about antisocial issues being experienced in the area surrounding the city centre.
An idea was also put forward to help the technical ceramics sector by offering tailored university courses and certifications in advanced ceramics manufacture and ceramic materials sciences.
Dawn said: “We found the event to be a very important opportunity for the attendees to voice their concerns and experiences to Jo Gideon.
“It gave her some insight into some of the challenges faced, with a view to her and her political colleagues potentially taking action, where possible.”
Last year, a similar round table was held by Lawrence Davis featuring Stoke-on-Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis, as reported in Daily Focus.
Lawrence Davis went on to have a second bite of the political lobbying cherry when Business Development Director Amanda Nicely appeared on BBC1’s Question Time during its recent broadcast from Stoke-on-Trent.
Amanda asked who in the Government would be held accountable for the scrapping of HS2 Phase 2 and the ‘waste’ of taxpayers’ money.
She was assured by panellist and Government Treasury Minister Nigel Huddleston that the money was being reallocated to other parts of the transport system and would be reinvested.
