CEO Comtek Network Systems UK Ltd and chair DBF Despite the myth that we don t build anything in Britain, the UK is the ninth largest manufacturing country in the world, according to Make UK, the manufacturers organisation. North East Wales and North West England is the largest manufacturing hub for the UK, worth about £30bn. However, the services sector, such as leisure, retail, entertainment, etc accounts for over 75% of the UK s GDP. The UK s car exports in 2019 were valued at about £32bn. The 1980s saw a massive decline in manufacturing with the total demolition of our electronics and telecommunications sectors. It was painful to watch the disappearance of amazing, world-leading, technology companies such as Racal Electronics, Plessey, Marconi, GEC, STC and Ferranti Computer Systems, to name but a few.
THE level 4 restrictions will be devastating for businesses that have struggled through the pandemic, a business leader has said. The Leader previously reported that Wales will be facing level 4 restrictions as the coronavirus risk rises to very high . This means all non-essential retail, including close contact services and all leisure and fitness centres will close at the end of trading on Christmas Eve. All hospitality premises will close from 6pm on Christmas Day and tighter restrictions on household mixing, staying-at-home, holiday accommodation and travel will apply from December 28, after the five-day Christmas period. Businesses have already faced much torment and uncertainty over the course of the pandemic.