Last week we were pleased to host the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of CommerceÂs North Branch meeting, to discuss the need for more land to be set aside for jobs in Nuneaton and Bedworth.
Business leaders were joined by MP Marcus Jones to consider concerns that the area could see unemployment remain well above the regional average if land remains an issue.
This is something that we can relate to here at Subcon as we are also struggling to find the space we need to meet the growing needs of our company. Currently unemployment in the borough stands at 5.5% compared to 2.8% across Warwickshire.
The Chamber responded to the Borough Plan for the area by suggesting that there needs to be more space for businesses to grow and is calling on companies that are having difficulties expanding to reach out.
Marcus Jones said: ÂThe plan at the moment is a little unbalanced. There needs to be more emphasis on commercial growth so that businesses currently in the area can grow and also, so we can attract new companies here.Â
Our general manager, Tom Mongan  who chaired the meeting added: ÂWe are maxed out at the moment and we have a vision for growth as a business, but this issue is making it very difficult to put that into place.
ÂWe understand that there has to be new housing schemes in the area but the people who live in those new homes will need jobs to go to  if there isnÂt enough employment space, we are creating a bigger problem for ourselves.Â
The Chamber has been campaigning on this issue since its Go For Growth campaign showed a lack of employment space as a key factor to growth across the region.
David Penn, Vice President of the Chamber, said: ÂThere appears to be an issue where local authorities feel that if they take another look at employment land, they will have to change their housing numbers too.
ÂWe have been informed that this is not the case and, therefore, gives authorities the opportunity to look again at the balance of space for jobs  without having to readdress the housing numbers.Â
