Shropshire economy would be boosted if business owners took advantage of support on offer, experts say

The Shropshire economy would work more efficiently if businesses utilised free help available to them, leaders have warned.

Shropshire Overheads Specialists Auditel have said that many business people do not realise that they are covered for things like insurance – so end up paying twice.

Experts Neil Crook and Adrian Burton said if the county economy was more streamline it could result in more jobs, more profit and a healthier future.

Thier warning has been echoed by bosses at Shropshire Chamber of Commerce and elsewhere.

Mr Burton said: “It is just ludicrous that so many people do not realise the benefits of being a member of an organisation.

“Our expertise is in saving people money on their overheads – this is one way that so many businesses waste money.”

The pair have recently saved Shropshire Chamber of Commerce 21per cent a year on the gas supply and 8per cent on the electricity.

Chief executive of the chamber, Richard Sheehan, said there is plenty of guidance and support on offer.

Mr Sheehan said: “We struggle to communicate the vast array of offers we have for members, both existing and new.

“If companies utilise the support on offer it could enhance the employment situation and the money saved is straight off the bottom line which can be invested elsewhere.”

The Chamber of Commerce has more than 800 members and 560 members through affiliation.

They offer business support from HR to legal expenses, AA cover, training, translation services, health support, low cost currency support and utilities auditing, to name a few, as well as 150 events per year.

Nick Chavasse MBE, managing director at NRG Direct Mail Ltd in Shrewsbury and former vice president of the chamber, said his business would not have been able to flourish the way it has if it wasn’t for business groups and using support on offer.

He said: “I have found that the local business support groups are extremely helpful and valuable in many ways.

“Shropshire is a thriving community and people who aren’t part of networks are missing out by not capitalising on these opportunities.

“If more people joined and checked what benefits were involved it would help Shropshire plc considerably.”

Mr Chavasse is a former chairman of the Independent Network Club and the Shropshire Business Partnership and was on the committee of a local BNI group.

He is currently on the Shropshire Business Board and a business ambassador for Shropshire as well as being an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of the FSB.

He started his business 12 years ago and now has 10 employees.

He added: “I started from nothing and I would have found it an awful lot harder if I hadn’t been a part of the local business community.

“Much of the growth of my business has come as a result of local business networks.”