Brexit Roundtable Blog - Retail

 

Back in January I held the third of a series of Brexit roundtables – this time with the retail sector in Norwich.

 

Norwich employs 17,000 people in retail – this is nearly twenty per cent of the city’s jobs total and higher than most other regions of the UK. Norwich is also ranked 13th in 2017 shopping destination measures. Prosperity matters in our city, so I think it is important that the city’s retail sector and the people it employs are on a firm footing as we leave the EU.

 

This roundtable included participants from Norwich’s two shopping centres, Castle Mall and Intu Chapelfield, and Norwich Business Improvement District.  They have already made it clear just how important retail is in Norwich. Here’s what they have already had to say: “Norwich is the most popular retail destination in our region;” “When businesses look to gain a national presence, Norwich is generally in the first tranche of openings they look to do.”

 

Attendees had much to discuss and we covered a range of issues, which I have put in another letter to the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. As I mentioned in my previous blog on my roundtables with the science and digital & creative sectors, I want to see good jobs come to Norwich as we leave the EU and putting the case to Government for each of the major sectors in the city is just one way Norwich’s interests will be heard.

 

Of course, the views of my constituents are just as important. So if you work in retail and would like to share your own thoughts on the sector and Brexit, please do get in touch.