Business owners in Trafford have shared how the 'astronomical' cost of living crisis and energy prices rise, alongside political upheaval, is causing anxiety.

This month the GC Business Growth Hub held a networking event and while many of the attendees were eager to expand their professional connections, they had concerns about what the months ahead have in store.

Steven Rottier, general manager of iFly indoor skydiving, said: “I think every other business in the local area has been struggling.

"We’ve definitely seen the fallout from that we’re all in the same boat.”

These issues are also affecting how businesses plan for the future.

Mr Rottier explained: “We’re currently in the middle of building a new tunnel in the O2 in London and the cost of living crisis and energy prices have been making things very very difficult.

"Looking at the price of electricity per kilowatt, and we’re not sure whether or not the price cap is going to stay on.”

Uncertainty was a common problem. Gemma Barlow is the co-founder and lead facilitator of Go! Train and Develop.

She said: “We’ve never had anything off the government, even through the whole of Covid.

“I don’t really have any confidence in the government anyway. It can’t get any worse can it really.”

The revolving door of Prime Ministers at No 10 was causing issues for a lot of local business owners.

Ms Barlow said: “We need somebody who cares about our businesses genuinely, rather than just putting a funding form in front of us and seeing if we qualify.

"We need some level of reality, a reality check.

"People have families, people that they’re responsible for, that they need to support. It’s very difficult to grow as a small business without any kind of support.”

Also at the event was Trafford Councillor Liz Patel, who acknowledges that it is a challenging time for businesses in the borough.

She said: “Now is a timely event to reach out to our local businesses who do so much for us in Trafford, generating our local economy and employing people in Trafford.

"We want to let people know that help and support is available."

Cllr Patel described the cost increases businesses are facing as “astronomical” and has heard harrowing stories from those in the hospitality and manufacturing - industries which rely heavily on utilities.

She echoed the concerns of the local business community in relation to the uncertainty at Westminster, saying: “I think the instability in the government hasn’t helped at all.

"What we need from government is reassurance for businesses here. We’re doing what we can as a local council but we need the government to lead on some of this”.

GC Business Growth Hub is a community of specialists who help businesses across Greater Manchester to realise their ambitions.

Since 2011, they've supported more than 15,000 businesses.