Small firm challenges come under focus

THE national vice-chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses John Wright will be highlighting the challenges small enterprises face as he addresses the Essex FSB's annual general meeting in Chelmsford.

John Wright's speech will follow the formal part of the annual general meeting on November 14, and will be followed by a question and answer session.

The event, at Hylands House, is being held as part of the Essex in Boom 2006 week celebrating the success of the county's economy.

“One of the topics we expect to be addressed in detail is the level of crime against businesses in Essex and also the high increase in business rates that have faced many Essex companies,” said Bill Pirie, chairman of the Essex Region of the Federation of Small Businesses.

“With more than 196,000 members across the country, the FSB is the largest representative organisation in the business community and here in Essex we are determined to make sure the voice of our members is heard on issues of importance to them,” said Mr Pirie. “This is an opportunity for Essex businesses to have a direct influence on our national policy and to encourage our national leadership to take on board areas of concern to those of us doing business in Essex.”

Mr Wright said he was “pleased” to be speaking at the event.

“Essex is the home of the small business entrepreneur who knows how to take an idea and develop it in to a successful business,” he said.

“That is what Marconi did when he patented radio in 1896 and then went on to found the Marconi company in Chelmsford I 1898, what Alan Sugar did with Amstrad in Brentwood and what many other successful Essex entrepreneurs have done and continue to do.

“There are many challenges facing such businesses and I will be highlighting some of those which cause the FSB concern and explain what we are doing to address those issues.”