An August Networking Adventure at Rivenhall Oaks

20th August 2026

In previous years, we have avoided holding physical events in August. It’s holiday season for many of our members with family commitments, but our recent evening at the wonderful Rivenhall Oaks Golf Centre made the whole team reconsider our future summer event programme. What a fantastic venue to welcome...

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Essex Chambers Unveils Stunning Venue for This Year’s Festival of Business

19th August 2026

Essex Chambers of Commerce is delighted to announce that this year’s flagship Festival of Business will now take place at the stunning Braxted Park Estate, on Wednesday 11th November, 10.00am – 3.00pm. The Festival remains the county’s largest business showcase, bringing together businesses from across Essex and beyond for...

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Costs Crisis Hampering Hiring

18th August 2026

Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Patrick Milnes, Head of Policy for People and Work at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:        “Although unemployment has held steady at 4.9%, this cannot hide the wider problems bedeviling the UK’s jobs market.  “Business confidence is at a post-Pandemic low and the squeeze on firms’ finances...

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Wickford train derailment recovery and travel advice

16th August 2026

Rail passengers planning to travel through Wickford are being advised by Network Rail and Greater Anglia to expect disruption to train services for at least a week and to only travel on this route if their journey is essential. Following the derailment of one carriage of a Greater Anglia...

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New Cost Of Employment Rights Revealed

13th August 2026

Reacting to the release of new government research on the costs involved with planned changes to zero hours contracts, Kate Shoesmith, Director of Policy at the BCC, said: “The increased cost to businesses of the proposed changes to zero hours contracts will be a further hammer blow for many...

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Q2 Growth Masks ‘Cocktail of Cost Pressures’

13th August 2026

Responding to the latest GDP data, published by the Office for National Statistics this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Faced with global headwinds from the Iran conflict, the UK economy showed welcome resilience in Q2, growing by 0.4%, according to today’s first...

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Economic Priorities For The Government: Trade

07th August 2026

The UK has a new Prime Minister who has promised to revive the nation’s economic fortunes. But he follows a succession of PMs who have pledged the same without ever managing to consistently deliver. At the BCC, we think about little else than helping businesses and our economy thrive....

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Government orders that public spending must back British jobs and skills in every postcode

06th August 2026

Government backs industry to create new British jobs and support local communities with new weighting in public contracts. Businesses bidding for government contracts – a market worth £90bn per year – will be judged on their commitment to creating high-quality British jobs, tackling local skills shortages, and supporting young...

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Business Insight Key To Successful Devolution 

31st July 2026

Responding to No10’s plans to hand Mayors a greater share of locally generated tax revenue, Kate Shoesmith, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Putting more decision-making closer to local economies can help unlock growth. But it must be focused on the practical barriers businesses face...

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Temporary water use ban announced for Essex & Suffolk Water customers

31st July 2026

Following the Environment Agency’s announcement of drought across the East Anglian area, Essex & Suffolk Water is introducing a Temporary Use Ban, also known as a hosepipe ban, for customers across the entire supply area. The temporary restrictions will be implemented immediately and enforced from 00.01am on Monday 3...

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