More than 200 representatives from local businesses attended the conference at Uttoxeter Racecourse on Friday, January 18, to hear a keynote address from Small Business Minister Kelly Tolhurst MP. Attendees also heard from a range of speakers from leading businesses.  You can access the full transcript of Kelly Tolhurst's speech here. We took the opportunity to speak to two local businesses who attended the event: Business Director at Hobson Health, James Hobson, gives us his reaction to the conference after hearing more on Staffordshire's economic growth Sharon Roberts from Cheadle based company, Creative Studio, talks about why she attended the event and why Staffordshire is the ideal place to live and work

Staffordshire tourism is continuing to boom. A study commissioned by Destination Staffordshire has revealed the total annual value of the tourism sector has surpassed £1.8 billion. According to the latest figures, there has been a 1.9% increase in visitors to the county - made up of 24.6 million day trippers and 1.6 million overnight stays. The number of jobs supported by the industry grew 1.7% to a new high of 31,720, making tourism the fourth biggest employer in the county, according to the ONS Business Register & Employment Survey. The value of the industry has increased by almost 50% since 2007, when tourism was worth £1.2 billion to the county’s economy. More about business support for the tourism sector in Staffordshire here (Photo: Popular visitor destination Trentham Estate and Shopping Village)

An extension to a major Midlands business park in Staffordshire, which could generate around 1,700 jobs and lever in up to £300 million of investment, has been given the go-ahead. Work to extend i54 South Staffordshire by around a third of its current size can now begin. More about i54 South Staffordshire Business Park here.

Free business support clinics across Staffordshire

The Staffordshire Growth Hub runs free Business 1-2-1 Support Clinics in a variety of locations across Staffordshire, so there is always support available to you, regardless of your location.   The clinics are great a way for you to discuss your business needs and ideas with one of the hub's qualified business advisors.  This is a one to one appointment opportunity, which is private and confidential. Book now on the any of the following: Thursday 7 February - Business Support Clinic Burton Monday 18 February - Business Support Clinic Stone Wednesday 26 February - Business Support Clinic Lichfield Wednesday 26 February - Business Support Clinic Newcastle Under Lyme Thursday 27 February - Business Support Clinic Cannock Wednesday 6 March -  Business Support Clinic Tamworth Friday 8 March - Business Support Clinic Stafford Later dates are available. It is also possible to arrange an alternative date with an advisor should you not be able to attend a scheduled event.   Please email Michael Cubbon at: m.cubbon@chase-chamber.com

Business networking masterclass

Effective business networking is the most efficient way to find new clients, to seek new job opportunities and build a bond of trust with the people around you. This interactive Masterclass delivered by Mike Samuels, a property developer and business mentor, takes place at the Roman Way Hotel, Watling Street, Cannock, WS11 1SH on February 26th.  More details on the Staffordshire Growth Hub website here

Employers to “wake up” to the importance of sleep

Sleep is essential for health and wellbeing.  However, 1 in 3 adults suffer from insomnia. 

Around 200,000 working days are lost every year due to insufficient sleep.  And sleep deprivation is estimated to cost the UK economy over £30 billion a year.  In the workplace, sleep deprivation can impact on good decision-making, creativity, safety, productivity and competitiveness. 

Maximise the energy of your staff.  Download BITC’s informative Sleep and Recovery Toolkit for Employers!

For more information and resources on sleep visit the Sleep and Recovery in the Workplace webpage.

Sign up for ‘Healthy Workplace’ Updates

If you’d like to receive regular updates on workplace health, why not sign up to the ‘Healthy Workplace’ Update?  It will keep you informed about national and local campaigns, resources and guidance to support the health of your workforce.  You can sign up here.

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