Networking amongst businesses has continued apace with a cheese and wine evening at Richmond Business Award winning The Crown in St Margaret’s and with the Mayor Cllr Nancy Baldwin who shared her charities Home Start and OK Music Trust.

Anne Newton, Richmond Chamber of Commerce CEO said: “We were delighted to select the Crown for last week’s business evening networking event with the Mayor and businesses had a premium cheese and wine experience with quality innovative British made cheeses; an eye opener to us all as to the unparalleled innovation amongst our farmers and dairy producers and the quality matched wines were perfectly selected - thank you Carron Lodge Ltd, Pearmain Group and The Crown GM Paddy. “

Pearmain Director Duncan McCliesh “The Crown team thoroughly enjoyed the event with the Chamber, Mayor and businesses and it gave us a great opportunity to showcase our relaxed yet high quality professional service delivery, a premium Pearmain supplier Carron Lodge and excellent wines to match. We look forward to our next event with the Chamber.”

You can find the Mayor’s charity fundraising page at https://www.justgiving.com/mayorsappealfund-richmond

A Chamber Breakfast event was also held at the Marriott Hotel in Twickenham, once again including the Mayor, who was also joined by a representative of The Bank of England, as well as other businesses from the area.

The Bank of England’s Greater London deputy agent, Alieda Moore, said: “The fog of Brexit continues to hang over the country, and the uncertainties facing businesses and households remain high.

“That makes the Bank’s regular conversations with local companies and communities more important than ever.”

The Twickenham Marriott’s director of sales, Emma Edgar, highlighted the “great atmosphere” at the event, adding that the team was “very interested to hear the economic round-up and were pleased to engage with businesses who attended”.

Chamber CEO Anne Newton said: “The Chamber is the Voice of Business across the region reflecting all sizes of businesses from micros, SMEs to corporations and hence the Bank attends Chamber events regularly to review businesses’ perspectives.

“A very useful discussion took place covering many areas of the economy including: construction and housing; shortage of quality workforce of all skill levels; the holding back of investment decisions due to impact of ongoing prevarication re Brexit; and stockpiling.”