Brighton and Hove business bosses quiz council chief

Business men and women were given a chance to meet and put questions to the chief executive of Brighton and Hove City Council at a breakfast meeting today.

John Barradell spoke at the meeting organised by Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce.

He praised Brighton and Hove for being a creative city and urged the private sector to continue to create jobs at a rate above the national average.

One member of the audience said that since Mr Barradell’s appointment the council appeared to have become better at listening to the business community.

Sarah Springford, director of the Brighton and Hove chamber, said that the event was fully booked, lively and interactive.

She said: “There was a diverse range of small businesses, charities and community interest companies – even at half past seven in the morning.”

Mr Barradell spoke about some of the challenges facing the city’s economy and how the council was trying to improve the way that it operated.

A podcast of the meeting can be heard by clicking here.

Next Tuesday (1 February) the chamber is holding its latest event in the Ride the Wave series, “Surviving a rent review.”

The Ride the Wave events are part of a programme created by the council and being delivered in partnership with the chamber of commerce.

The rent review workshop will be run by Tony Mernagh, the chief executive of Brighton and Hove Business Forum.

The free event is from 6pm to 8pm at the Jubilee Library, Brighton, but places are limited so call 01273 719097 or visit www.businessinbrighton.org.uk/event to book.

The event includes refreshments and networking opportunities.

The chamber is also hosting the first event in its Big Debate series next week.

At the “Mind the Gap” debate on Thursday (3 February) members will discuss whether businesses should fill in the holes left by government cutbacks.

The event is being held at City College Brighton and Hove in Pelham Street, Brighton, from 6pm to 8.30pm.