Easter could spur tourism drive for Cambridgeshire firms - business group
A report suggests the number of businesses in the area has risen
A business group believes the Easter break can bring a much-needed boost to local firms despite the rising cost of living.
The Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce (CCC) says people are choosing to stay and spend more locally as it's too expensive to go abroad.
"It's (Easter) extremely important because it brings footfall, but gives people who live in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area an opportunity to do something over the Easter weekend and into the holiday," Connor Butler, engagement manager at CCC, said.
According to its State of the Region report for last year, the county's Combined Authority found the number of businesses in the area grew by 13.2% between 2017-18 and 2023-24.
The report also showed the number of business closures was more than 4,000 three years ago, higher than in 2017 but almost 10% fewer compared to 2022.
While Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's three-year business survival rate stood at 59.4% in 2023, above the average for England of 52.8%.
Concerns not going away
"Easter is the first big tourism drive post the winter period, so it's a really good opportunity for businesses to benefit from that additional footfall," Mr Butler added.
"The cost of living challenges are driving people to take more shorter or day trips and potentially more locally; in a way, it could drive more footfall."
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayor Paul Bristow aims to triple the size of the county's economy by 2050.
Charlotte Horobin, chief executive at CCC, has previously told us concerns around running businesses are not going away.
"Our businesses are so supportive of wanting to recruit and help their local communities, but it does feel right now that it's even harder for them than it should be," she said.