BUSINESS leaders in Warwickshire are aiming to help Stratford bounce back.
Tom Mongan, the president of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, donned his ceremonial chain of office as he and membership manager Hazel Pilling met town mayor Kevin Taylor.
The trio discussed how the town has been faring since lockdown restrictions easing began and how the Chamber could support businesses to help them bounce back from the Covid-19 crisis.
Tom and Hazel visited The Arden Hotel and met manager Josefine Blomqvist to find out how it was trading in the current climate.
The duo learned the hotel was starting to see footfall return although are affected by the closure of The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, as well as a lack of business travel.
Tom said: “Josefine highlighted a real need to recruit because so many people have left the hospitality industry. This is a situation that we’ve heard from several members in the hospitality trade so we’d encourage people to take a look at the sector again if they are looking for a new career after lockdown.
“If venues such as The Arden Hotel can fill those vacancies with local people, it will boost the regional economy and also help businesses to boost their trade too.”
Josefine added: “It was lovely to welcome Tom and Hazel to the hotel and to show the areas of the businesses that are trading well and, also, those elements that are still some way off returning to normal.
“If we can get the message out there that there are jobs available and, also, that we are open for business across the town it would be a major boost for the regional economy.”
Kevin said: “It’s great to see Stratford looking very busy again and it’s vital that we make sure the footfall is converted into a boost in trade for our businesses.”
