I don’t need to remind anyone that 2020 has been a year packed full of challenges, uncertainties and has offered very little in the way of normality or security.

Whilst it has been a really difficult year for the vast majority of us, this environment has been particularly hard for our business community.

The foundations of a strong business are built on the ability to plan based on well-informed projections and that has been an impossible task for most this year.

That said, many of our amazing businesses in Dunbartonshire have responded fantastically to find new ways of operating whilst keeping their customers and staff safe.

Some have even pivoted, innovated and created new businesses or provided new products and services alongside existing ones.

There is no doubt that we will face many of the same challenges at the start of 2021 and, at the time of writing, the details of our relationship with the EU are still under negotiation.

What 2020 has highlighted is that there is a great deal of hope and resilience within our business community and that they are ready to take on whatever is thrown at them.

Dunbartonshire Chamber wants to build on the positives too and we will continue our #TogetherForBusiness campaign to bring our network together and provide support and opportunities for growth and development.

With this in mind, we will be starting the new year by launching a transformational new sales and marketing programme to help Dunbartonshire businesses generate more orders.

The launch event will take place online on Wednesday, January 20 at 11am. We will also keep our community connected through our ongoing virtual networking sessions that take place each month.

We will be continuing to develop the Scotland Loves Local activity into the new year to provide our high street areas with platforms to promote themselves.

We now have in place dedicated town centre websites and virtual high streets for Alexandria and the Vale of Leven, Dumbarton, Clydebank, Bearsden and Bishopbriggs.

We also want to look at other ways we can help these businesses build their digital profile and reach out to new markets with the support of our Chamber Experts.

If, along with our partners and communities, we come #TogetherForBusiness, I have every confidence we can come out of this crisis stronger and more resilient than ever!

Wishing everyone a merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year - from all of us at Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce.

If you want to connect with our wonderful business community or to find out more about the benefits of being a member of the Chamber, please get in touch on 0141 280 0272, email admin@dunbartonshirechamber.co.uk or visit the website at dunbartonshirechamber.co.uk.