A new draft strategy has been launched about how we can strengthen and improve Bracknell Forest’s economy and business sector – and we want to find out what you think.
The borough has real pockets of productivity and is an ideal location for small, medium and large businesses.
However, recent global events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn have impacted the number and types of businesses calling Bracknell Forest home. It has also impacted the training levels of local people – creating a skills gap.
The council is now looking to reverse this by driving prosperity, increasing skills and encouraging more businesses to come to Bracknell Forest through a targeted 10-year plan running from 2024 to 2034.
Areas of focus
The Economic Strategy focuses on four key areas:
Economic performance
This aims to improve declining productivity and the reduction in local business knowledge. It will also aim to protect the borough from the risks associated with large, foreign businesses moving out of Bracknell Forest.
Business competitiveness
This aims to improve resilience, including start-up survival rates, and grow businesses within certain sectors like ICT, scientific and technical and film and TV. This will help improve competitiveness and secure the large employers of the future.
People, work and wellbeing
This aims to address skills gaps locally and encourage well-paid and secure employment for residents.
Place, climate change, infrastructure and connectivity
This aims to promote the borough as an excellent place to live and work. It will champion green business initiatives and showcase the borough’s many advantages like great connectivity, good housing, schools and a wonderful environment.
Residents and businesses are invited to have their say on the key areas and the actions associated with them via a 6-week survey, which started earlier this week.
Cllr Paul Bidwell, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said:
“Bracknell Forest is known for having lots of successful, large businesses located in it, which employ many people.
“However, despite this success, we are not immune to the impact of the global events that have taken place over the past few years, which have caused a decline in our prosperity.
“Now is the right time to tackle that decline and reaffirm Bracknell Forest as an excellent place to live and work – encouraging more businesses, big and small, to take root here and make this their home.
“Our 10-year draft strategy is based on significant research and expert advice but we want to make sure it fits with what our residents think, as well as our existing business leaders and owners. You can take a look and have your say until 6 December.”
The consultation runs until 6 December and can be found online.
Go to the Economic Strategy survey
Alternatively, you can find hard copies in the borough’s libraries and town and parish offices.
Comments and suggestions will be reviewed and will help shape the final strategy that is due to be adopted in early 2024.
