New Marches Growth Hub chair Dave Courteen welcomed many of the measures announced by the Chancellor to help businesses recover from the impact of Covid.
He said a £5billion package of support for the hospitality and tourism industries – as well as the extension of VAT and business rate support – would help some of the businesses across the Marches hardest hit by the pandemic.
Dave, whose company runs the highly successful Shrewsbury Club and Holmer Park Spa and Health Club near Hereford, also welcomed news that the Chancellor will pay out a fourth and fifth round of grants for self-employed workers and extend the furlough scheme as well as increasing incentives for companies looking to take on apprentices.
“The Chancellor is clearly doing much in this Budget to support businesses hardest hit over the last 12 months and that has to be welcomed. Of course, we will need to study some of the detail announced today to see just how far this Budget addresses all the key issues.
“There is much to be done to encourage and support new start-ups in the coming months as well as buildingour skills and training offering so that it can match the best in the world.
“What is really crucial is that no sector of business is allowed to slip through the net because support was not available when needed.
“The Marches Growth Hub will continue to work with all our partners – and all the terrific businesses which drive the economy across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin – to ensure our expert support and advice is available to all.”
