The managing director of an accountancy firm gave his take on the Budget at a Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce held its November meeting at the Nothe Fort last Tuesday.

Chamber president Andrew Knowles welcomed members to the networking breakfast as they prepared to hear from representatives from both the Nothe Fort and accountancy firm Albert Goodman.

The general manager of the Nothe Fort, Louise Baker, said business has been booming at the landmark and revealed that there have been more than 50,000 visitors this season.

She said: “The fort has been experiencing a 25 per cent year on year increase in visitors which is quite astounding for any type of visitor attraction and though the weather this summer was very much one for the beach, we still increased numbers by a good five per cent.”

She added: “After our very popular Halloween events, the fort now welcomed many private parties, weddings and so many schools for educational visits that we are having to turn some away”.

The sponsor of the November event was Albert Goodman Accountants and its managing partner, Richard Bugler, took the opportunity to give his annual take on the Budget.

He said: “The Budget overall was a fairly neutral affair for business with equal positives and negatives. The Budget comes along and causes huge momentary interest and is then forgotten by most, but for many, especially an accountant, it is vital for making changes to business accounting”.

Mr Bugler finished on a positive note saying how Albert Goodman were seeing good business growth in those that sought the export market, no matter how small they were.

He said: “Businesses can and do succeed with efficiency, timing any major spending and being confident.”

Mr Knowles thanked both speakers and said: “We welcome all local businesses to come along and attend the networking meetings just to give it a try”.

The chamber will next meet on Friday, November 30 for a Christmas Lunch at Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy. It will be attended by South Dorset MP Richard Drax and there will be a presentation from Alison Smith, deputy director of the new MEMO/Jurassica/ Eden Project on Portland.

The next Chamber breakfast will take place on Tuesday, December 4 at SafeWise in Weymouth with a presentation

from Paul Appleby from EXO

IT Services, the meeting’s sponsors.

At the end of the meeting attendees had the opportunity to have a brief but fascinating guided tour of the Nothe Fort.