Dr Vince Cable MP visits Basepoint Newhaven
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On a constituency visit to Lewes on Wednesday 18th February, Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, visited the Basepoint centre in Newhaven to participate in a business leader’s event.
Dr Cable MP was joined by Norman Baker MP who opened the event by talking about the promising investment planned in the local area; The Rampion Wind Farm and the Newhaven Port will generate close to 300 jobs, and the University Tech College hopes to bring in 600 students from near and far.
Dr Cable MP followed with a speech about the ‘heart attack’ of the financial crisis in 2008, its recovery, and steps the current government has put in place to help Britain get back on its feet. They discussed the success of his business policies which have been implemented over the past few years, such as the British Business Bank from which over 30,000 businesses have benefited.
SMEs were then given the opportunity to speak directly with Mr Cable and Mr Baker about both the challenges and opportunities facing them in terms of business growth in East Sussex. The group then went on to discuss topics including the UK’s commitment to Europe, and the lack of skills in the UK, both of which have a great effect on small businesses. Basepoint’s Managing Director, Brian Andrews, lead a question and answer session that covered business issues such as the competing voices in the current government on the need for commercial space in certain areas.
Roxanne Haid, centre manager at the Basepoint operated business centre, comments: “It was really great to have Dr Cable MP and Mr Baker MP at Basepoint Newhaven. Our SMEs had the chance to discuss issues that are prevalent in the UK today. Our licencees will, no doubt, feel more informed about what they are facing and how to overcome any obstacles to maximise the potential of their businesses.”
Basepoint aims to manage centres in a way that ensures access for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs), offering all the services needed to run a company in its early stages, including a shared reception and meeting facilities. The centres also give small business owners the chance to participate in a range of networking events, allowing them the opportunity to connect with other like-minded entrepreneurs.