'Back in Business' Brentwood

What an autumn this has been!

Brentwood has suffered not only from the effects of the recession experienced by everyone else in the country, but has also had the double whammy of the high street makeover roadworks - no one denies they are a good long-term investment in the town, but they (temporarily?) drove business out of Brentwood for several months.  The town became a 'ghost town'.

Imagine if you were one of the traders having to cope with that!

Everyone said 'no gain without pain' - but the pain was being experienced not by the strategists, the planners.  No.  It was being experienced by Brentwood High Street traders - especially in the West end of town.  They have had a really hard time, with virtually no trade - no-one coming while the high street was full of cones and workmen.  Hardly anyone coming even when late-night shopping was being operated.

Brentwood suffered from a bad press.  But now is the time to be positive!

It is finally over. What we must do now is to take advantage of the opportunity provided and celebrate our recovery!  Everyone, including the Brentwood Gazette and the rest of the local media, will surely be keen to emphasise the potential for the town and the positive outlook for the new Brentwood.

We must put the emphasis on an optimistic future.  For that is surely what matters in Brentwood to all of us who live and/or do our business here.  The Essex economy is bigger than many countries in the EU, including Belgium.  And Essex SME's (Small to medium businesses) have traditionally led the UK - especially out of recessions.

This is what is widely expected to happen this time around.  Essex as a national leader of business recovery; and Brentwood is well placed to play a significant part in it.

At Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, we have a fervent wish that this time next year we will be looking back on a good year for business and a good year for Brentwood.

Meanwhile may I, on behalf of Chamber, wish you all a happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Mike Hawkins

Executive Secretary