Bold ambition x small business in York

With thanks to Brian Littlejohn for a productive 7 hour visit to York this week.

A meeting with the Mayor, council leaders and officials showed the city in good business spirits yet no-one resting on their laurels, recognising that attracting new investment and supporting business is a year-round and full-time job.

I’m sharing three observations from the visit; produced for those operating in the world of economic development, and for small businesses to forward to your own town/city enterprise teams as food for thought.

• Business background in leaders – I can’t help thinking there is a connection between good business performance and prior business experience of those in charge. The Mayor of York & North Yorkshire, David Skaith, ran his own menswear shop, leader of the council, Claire Douglas, spent 16 years operating an IT business she founded, and deputy leader, Peter Kilbane, was the founder of bars across the city. They all bring this knowledge and experience to the table. They know their budgets and the dangers of spending more than is earned. They have a vision for the city, want to work with partners who deliver on that vision, and they put in the hard graft. As the leader said: ‘I used to manage cashflow on a daily basis’ – a key skill required for someone running a city. Having business experience in political leadership delivers policies that are pro-business – we should have more of it.
• SME Procurement starts at a local level – the new Procurement Act came into effect in February of this year – I have written about this a lot as it’s a big opportunity for small firms. I was reminded by Chloe Wilcox, head of procurement, that selling to the public sector can start at a local level. Chloe outlined how procurement is a ‘good news’ story for businesses in York as the Act encourages more spend with SMEs and powers to ensure fast payment is moving down the supply chain. I’m hearing from more councils who are speaking with their anchor institutions (NHS, police, fire & ambulance service etc) on using procurement as a force for good economic growth. Advice for small businesses – check the contracts available at a local level and get to know your council’s procurement and payment approach.
• Connecting the community – in the past months I’ve been asked by hospitality operators for good practice when it comes to driving footfall. York is hard at work on this with much of the answer in putting on events. The Mayor spoke with passion about Skipton Pride, York Restaurant Week, and York Ice Trail as events that attract people into town – and into shops/cafes/bars. This is supported by local application of a £10m High Street Fund.

There was acceptance round the table that more needs to be done; sights are set on a new York Central development, there were recommendations of using Apprenticeship Levy monies to fund business support and placing the delivery of support on a statutory footing, but I came away with the feeling that the City’s businesses are in good hands with people who have commercial experience and a deep commitment to see their place and its community thrive.

Go, York!