Barry Cash of the Chamber of Commerce conducts the small-business workshop. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0604104)

SMALL businesses are making themselves heard. The Chamber of Commerce has run four brainstorming sessions with owners of such firms to find out what problems they face.

Chamber director Barry Cash said the organisation would be taking its findings to the States. ‘It’s up to us to find ways of solving the key issues that we’ve identified. We’ll be putting our case to all the relevant government departments in order to work together and find a solution.

‘We’ll also be holding a one-day seminar later this year at which we’ll have presentations by gurus from on and off the island to learn how they’ve overcome their problems.’

One of the major issues that came out of the sessions was how small business owners are unable to find time to move their firms forward when bogged down by administrative duties. ‘How can you look beyond the horizon when you’re digging the trench?’ said Mr Cash.