History of Business West

Since 1823 Business West has been the active voice of business not just in Bristol itself but in major parts of the whole region. 

Two hundred years ago the newly-formed Bristol Chamber of Commerce set out, on behalf of its members and the wider city, both to challenge the extortionate levies that were crippling their industries and to establish a more sustainable platform for future growth and prosperity. Now, in 2023, Business West – the active voice of business not just in Bristol itself but in major parts of the whole region – is celebrating the anniversary both by building on the achievements of the city’s history, both recent and more distant, and by formulating a coherent and imaginative programme of innovation, change and development which will fuel yet more prosperity and well-being. 

Under the banner ‘Business West 200’, the programme is centred on Bristol but is also covering the relationship with the wider Business West region, incorporating Bath, parts of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, and Great Western Enterprise in Swindon, established to support the town after the railways moved away. There are four main foci: 

• International trade
• Productivity and skills
• Innovation
• Corporate citizenship and sustainability