Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps paid a special visit to the now Old Hatfield-based Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, opening its new office, and hearing the organisation’s plans for supporting local businesses.
Local MP Grant Shapps paid a special visit to the now Salisbury Square-based Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, opening its new modernistic office.
During Mr Shapps’ visit, Chamber chief executive Briege Leahy promoted the organisation’s “leading” role in guiding its member’s post-pandemic recovery.
The pair thrashed out the need to support young people economically across Welwyn Hatfield and Hertfordshire, focusing on how the Chamber could help turn younger entrepreneurs’ ideas into reality.
Moving on, the duo touched on issues such as east-west public transport routes across Hertfordshire, and redevelopment plans in Welwyn Hatfield- including the opportunities for businesses arising from them.
The two then discussed Welwyn Hatfield’s leading role in the deployment of electric vehicle infrastructure, with Mr Shapps emphasising the constituency’s high number of charging points.
Of the meeting Mr Shapps said, “it was great to come and open a new chapter in the Chamber’s long history of service to local businesses.
“It’s assuring to know that Briege and her team are working hard to support businesses of all sizes across Hertfordshire, particularly those in my own Welwyn Hatfield constituency.
“I know that the Chamber will be able to expand upon its excellent work from the new premises here in Old Hatfield.”
Miss Leahy added to Mr Shapps’ comments saying, “we enjoyed giving Grant a tour of our new office and grasped the opportunity to tell him all about our work, as well as discussing some of the challenges faced by businesses based in Hertfordshire.
“Our programme of activities is dedicated to overcoming obstacles and addressing the opportunities raised by the Secretary of State, assisting the Chamber’s more than 800 members in their pursuit of operating profitable businesses.”
To top off a successful meeting Mr Shapps presented Miss Leahy with an award on behalf of the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Lionel Wallace, whom he met with the same day.
The Chamber of Commerce has been guiding businesses across Welwyn Hatfield and Hertfordshire since 1924.
It provides support for businesses of all shapes and sizes, both local and national, through its membership benefits and networking opportunities.
The Chamber recently moved from its previous premises in the MacLaurin Building, Hatfield Business Park, to its new office in York House, Old Hatfield.