MORE than 100 organisations from across Northamptonshire heard business minister Kevin Hollinrake address the issues of cashflow, business support, the challenges facing the high street and the county’s food and drink sector at a business brunch and Q&A.
Mr Hollinrake, the Minister for Small Businesses, was the keynote speaker at the event, organised by networking group NNBN and staged at Kettering Park Hotel.
The Minister stressed what he called “the need for stability – economic, political and regulatory”. He went on to say that small businesses need a stable background in order to do well.
He stressed the need for the government to simplify regulations and let businesses succeed.
Mr Hollinrake pictured above, front centre spent an extra hour at the end of the event chatting to businesses and answering more questions. He said: “I really enjoyed my visit to Kettering where I met businesses from across Northamptonshire. I was challenged on many areas of the government’s business and economic policy.
“Coming from a small business background myself I appreciate how much hard work goes into making a small business successful and I am determined to do my bit as business minister to help small businesses succeed in the months and years ahead.”
He had been appointed the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business in October.
Kettering MP Philip Hollobone pictured left, who helped organise the visit, said: “Many congratulations to NNBN on organising this business brunch.
“There was a real buzz in the room and the Minister, who comes from a 30-year business background himself, really connected with the audience, knowing from bitter experience the ups and downs of working in small business. He listened, he was impressed by the optimism in the room and he shared his ambitions for how the government might help small businesses succeed in the years ahead.”
NNBN was launched just over a year ago to support businesses, charities and organisations in North Northamptonshire. It is expanding into West Northamptonshire, with a launch event planned for later this month.
Director Simon Cox said: “This was a huge coup for Northamptonshire, with our local businesses meeting the Minister, asking questions, raising concerns, and hearing about plans for the UK business economy and how this might directly affect individual businesses.
‘It was a privilege to showcase our local business community and our diverse and exceptional innovation, talent and expertise to this leading politician.”
