Telford Business

Shropshire Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the success of three major skills-boosting projects which all exceeded their targets.

Together, the Upskilling Project and the two phases of the Shropshire Skills Hub delivered more than 1,000 training opportunities, supporting hundreds of businesses and individuals

Responding to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement, he said: “The reaffirmed commitments we heard today on affordable housing, defence spending and infrastructure investment are, on the face of it, encouraging. 

“But, and this is a significant but, we have heard these kinds of promises before.”

Helen Columb, owner of Telford-based Turas Accountants, said businesses would breathe a collective sigh of relief at the absence of political “psychodrama” around the statement after months of uncertainty in the second half of 2025.

The inspector ruled that all the signs on the site “combines to create an overall negative visual impact of the site”.

A vital Telford charity that has supported thousands of homeless people over the last three decades has received a significant funding boost. As the team prepares to tackle the ongoing housing crisis, they have also announced the return of a major local event for 2026 that challenges residents to spend a night under the stars for a good cause.

The firm was first incorporated in 2021, and had enjoyed great reviews on Yell, Google and Facebook with one commenting “It is probably an over used expression “Going the Extra Mile” but the guys at Shropshire Electrical certainly did that for me, nothing was too much trouble.”

The firm employed around 18 members of staff according to accounts published in 2024, and the website states that company started in 1966.

Documents show the business has an estimated total debt of £337,901.

The Chamber has decided to bring back a tourism category this year to recognise organisations that deliver outstanding visitor experiences and showcase the very best of Shropshire’s tourism sector.

A specialist Telford business that transforms children into fairies for enchanting photoshoots is up for sale. The long-running family firm is looking for a new owner to take over its wings and wands as the founders retire.

A major shake-up to the UK tax system is just weeks away, and a Telford accountancy expert warns that small businesses and landlords with “messy books” could soon face serious scrutiny and penalties from HMRC.

Hundreds of future engineers are set to benefit from an exciting new partnership between one of the UK’s leading training providers and Hoffmann Group UK.

In-Comm Training, which offers apprenticeships and upskilling courses at academies in Telford and Aldridge, has been gifted a selection of Garant cabinets and cleaning stations by the industrial tooling manufacturer and supplier in a bid to boost best practice on the shopfloor.

Dan Vaughan, business change consultant at Capgemini, urged employers not to ‘outsource their thinking’ as they strive to adopt fast-developing artificial intelligence platforms.

Local businesses are being offered a free opportunity to stay ahead of new procurement laws and boost their chances of winning big contracts at a town centre workshop this month.

The next HR in Focus session will be held on Tuesday February 24, from 9.30am to 11.30am, at The Shropshire in Muxton, Telford.

5 Star Windows & Conservatories is looking to take on fitters, designers, surveyors and sales specialists to work at its new state-of-the-art showroom in St Georges, which is due to open in May.

The college has teamed up with locally based cosmetics company Heaven to supply skincare products, and with leading global brand L’Oréal for its professional haircare range.

The UK-based company – global leader in the manufacture of step-free aircraft boarding ramps – says a new solar-powered ramp supplied to Ireland West Airport is already proving a huge success.

Brandauer, one of the world’s leading metal stamping and tooling specialists, worked with Bruderer UK to specify and install a new BSTA510-150B2 press and associated ancillary equipment, capable of producing millions of precision razor frames every week.

As part of National Apprenticeships Week, the Stafford Park-based company is urging more employers to recognise the strategic value of ‘growing their own’.

Kim Gilmour, of Connect Marketing, a freelance consultant, received a High Sheriff’s Award in recognition of her annual Posh Frocks Charity Dinner, which has now raised over £42,000 for a variety of charities over the last 25+ years.

The Shropshire Business Conversation is being held at Telford’s International Centre on the evening of March 5.

It is a joint venture between Shropshire Festivals, and Shropshire Business magazine which is marking its 10th anniversary this year.

Mark and Becky White, business partners at Wrekin Conveniences, said: “We’re thrilled to have been recognised at the Loo of the Year Awards 2026. We’ve always cared about making sure everyone who uses our facilities has a great experience, because we all remember it when a visit to the ‘loo’ isn’t up to standard! “

Guy Sankey has submitted an application for a scoping opinion on the proposal for his farm in Whiston Cross, off the A464 near Albrighton.

More than 21,000 people have signed a petition organised by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which is urging Shropshire Council to reject the plan.

The Telford-based firm, which specialises in cutting-edge automated control systems, has teamed up with the Manufacturing Revenue Growth Summit and trade exhibition specialists Lincoln West to deliver the programme of industry webinars.

Employers of all sizes, across all sectors, are encouraged to complete the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) survey – a short but influential opportunity to ensure training provision, funding priorities, and workforce planning reflect real business need.

A skincare business based in Telford is changing how it supports staff by introducing unlimited leave for hormonal health. Heaven Skincare, which holds a Royal Warrant, has launched the initiative as 2026 gets underway.

The scheme, named Hormone Holidays, allows employees to take time off for symptoms related to menopause, periods, and conditions like endometriosis. It comes as a recent petition for the government to introduce menstrual leave reached more than 76,000 signatures.

OIngoing projects for Telford-based McPhillips this year include the refurbishment of Addenbrooke House in Telford to create a new state of the art base for Telford College’s A Level provision; a £20 million Integrated Retirement Community in Newport; a £3 million project in Kidderminster to transform Brinton Park and the Worcester Street Connectivity Project which forms part of a £20.5 million redevelopment of the town centre.