Lancashire courier Sameday was given the opportunity to share concerns about road repairs and business finance with chancellor George Osborne last week.

The meeting, which took place with other North West businesses and representatives from the Forum of Private Business last Friday (5 April), covered subjects such as finance for small businesses, local council business rates and road repairs.

Sameday director Tracy Hoather said that poorly maintained roads were causing unnecessary cost, as stones are regularly chipping windscreens and potholes are causing damage to tyres and wheels.

Hoather told Motortransport.co.uk: “The chancellor really listened to what we had to say and I felt that he was engaged with everyone in the room.”

The firm, which runs 30 vehicles and specialises in long distance same day delivery, was relieved that the chancellor froze fuel duty in his Budget last month, but Hoather was disappointed that she  was not given the opportunity to thank him at the meeting.

“I didn’t get the chance to explain what a relief it was, as a transport company using around 110,000 litres of fuel every six months, to have the fuel duty escalator frozen this year,” she said.

Other businesses from the region joined the operator in sharing concerns about funding for lending.

“We personally don’t have any trouble getting business finance, but other small business at the meeting have had trouble getting bank loans,” Hoather added.

Topics