Let the Games begin
On your marks Greater Birmingham - it's under one week to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, writes Henrietta Brealey.
Over a million people will be descending on the city region for 11 days of world class sport. Even the planned rail strikes on July 27 and 30 aren't going to dampen my spirits (although i have a lot of sympathy for those tasked with putting into place alternatives in what was already going to be a massive operation).
I sincerely hope that as a region and a country we get behind the Games. The city is looking phenomenal in the sunshine, dressed to impress in giant multicoloured banners and murals - it 's all feeling very real.
Post-Games we'll be looking at achievements to celebrate and lessons learned. The Chamber published a Games Business Manifesto back in June 2020. We'll be going back to those key messages and collecting businesses views on the local impact.
Until then, the message is simple - let 's get stuck in and have a very good time. There are still a few games tickets remaining (not to mention free festival sites taking place across the region) and the easily googleable "Get Set for the Games" campaign has lots of information for employers and individuals planning commutes, deliveries and other travel around the city-region.
And if you happen to have a spare afternoon or evening during the Games, why not grab your mates and pop down your local high street to watch the sporting action?
Because It 's not just the Games I have been thinking about for support. It's a bit rough out there for big chunks of the hospitality sector at the moment. After being at the forefront of Covid lockdown impacts, the sector has also be disproportionately impacted by recruitment challenges, rising energy bills and inflation hitting supplies (and already narrow margins). On top of that, quite a few of our members in this sector have reported that after a strong bounce-back post-Covid regs, footfall has taken a dip.
Of course, the Chamber will continue to call on the Government and the eventual new Prime Minister to take proactive action (cutting VAT for hospitality and on energy bills for example). On a local level - for those who can, recognising the wider cost of living crisis - let 's get behind these brilliant businesses too that contribute so much to making this a great place to live, work and visit.
Like many across the globe, this week I've also been thinking about the environment - as i write this column slowly baking in a sweaty spare room/office. I think we can all agree that the UK was not built for extreme heat.
While some of the candidates currently battling it out to be our next Prime Minister may be giving net zero a lukewarm reception, the Chamber remains firmly committed to supporting businesses on their net zero journeys.
Under the steer of our Chamber Council (a group of Chamber members elected by their peers to shape our policy and campaigns priorities) plans are developing fast for our 2022 Sustainable Business Series.
It seeks to help local firms understand the role that they play in progressing to net zero, as well as the opportunities and challenges that may arise from the net-zero transition through exper- led content and peer learning discussions.
It'll be back this October and businesses interested in getting involved or finding out more can now register their interest through the campaigns section of the Chamber website.
To bring me back to my first thought, the B2022 Commonwealth Games are aiming to be the most sustainable Games yet and leave a carbon neutral legacy.
Behind the scenes, new approaches and partnerships are being tried, tested and delivered here in the region that could go on to shape major sporting events across the globe. just one if the ways I look forward to seeing a legacy for the Games extend far beyond these 11 summer days.
So on your marks Greater Birmingham - get set and go!
Chamber members can join us in celebrating the Games with a social networking event at Pride House on the 3 August (5:30-7pm), Find out more.
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce members can now vote for their representatives in the 2022 Chamber Council elections. Find out more.
Henrietta Brealey is chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
This column first appeared in the Birmingham Post