Key issues local businesses highlighted to Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF) in March 2024 included :
- Trading conditions: Trading is tough for many Buckinghamshire businesses. Sales and trading levels have reduced, putting pressure on marketing and sales activities. Many feel the economy is ‘on hold and treading water’ in the lead-up to the General Election. There have been increased reports of business closures and firms making redundancies.
- Supply chains: Disruption in the Red Sea is continuing to cause supply chain delays and increased shipping costs.
- Holiday lets: Several businesses with furnished holiday lets have expressed their concern about their economic viability due to the proposed changes to the Furnished Holiday Lettings tax, capital allowances and changes in legislation regarding the number of days a rental property needs to be available.
- Disposable income: Businesses believe that reduced consumer disposable income is hampering any tourism/hospitality/leisure sector footfall.
BBF use this 'on-the-ground' intelligence to inform local business support activity, and share it with central government on a monthly basis to inform national policy.
