Skegness Area Business Chamber: A Year in Review

As spring arrived, our business community faced the reality of rising costs following the late-2024 Budget. Higher National Insurance contributions and a sharp increase in the National Living Wage hit many sectors hard, especially hospitality and care.

But true to form, local business owners rolled up their sleeves. We tightened where we had to, looked for opportunities where we could, and kept moving forward. The strength of that entrepreneurial spirit was clear in the Skegness Business Awards, where the New Business category was packed with nominations, proof of the determination and creativity that keeps our businesses moving ahead.

What’s New in Town

• Fresh investment brought new businesses to the Sea Front, adding energy and choice for visitors and locals alike.

• The new Skegness College opened its doors for the first time, welcoming nearly 50% more students than expected, a huge boost for skills and future talent.

• The Pride in Place funding (formerly Plan for Neighbourhood) moved closer to reality. After months of consultation, the Neighbourhood Board submitted initial plans to Government in November.

Chamber Highlights

It’s been a busy year for us too:

• Skegness Business Awards (November): A fantastic evening celebrating local success. Among the winners, Stuart Bateman received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to brewing and keeping quality local beer flowing despite all the trials and tribulations that come with operating a brewery.

• East Lincs Expo (February): A lively showcase of enterprise, following hot on the heels of the Awards. To find out more and book your place, Click Here.

• Breakfast Q&A (May): We welcomed our new MP Richard Tice to Northshore Hotel, where members asked some tough but important questions about the future of business in our area.

We rounded off the year with a wonderful Christmas Social, bringing members together to celebrate successes and connections. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, it was the perfect way to close the year.

Looking Ahead

As a volunteer-run chamber, our biggest challenge is capacity. We want to keep delivering high-quality events and opportunities, but we can only do that with more hands on deck.

This is where you come in. If you’re in business in Skegness or looking to do business here, now is the time to get involved. By joining us, you’ll:

• Help shape the Chamber’s future activities and priorities.

• Build valuable connections with potential customers, suppliers, and referrers.

• Strengthen the collective voice of local businesses in our area.

Take the next step and join the Chamber or Volunteer with Us. Your contribution, big or small, makes a real difference.

Behind the scenes, we’re also working to unify all our websites into one easy-to-use platform. This upgrade will make promoting events and member businesses simpler, more effective, and more visible to the wider community.

Together, we can keep Skegness connected. Step forward, join the Chamber, and be part of the journey today.