Mid Wales businesses looking to expand are being held back by a shortage of suitable commercial premises.
Speaking in the Senedd this week (10/06/2025), Montgomeryshire MS, Russell George highlighted the success of a local business and set out how the business was being held back from being able to expand, due to a shortage of suitable business units.
The local business in question, Stashed Products; designs, manufactures, and sells innovative bike storage systems.
Elliot Tanner who founded the Abermule based business in 2022, earlier this year presented a successful pitch to the BBC’s Dragons’ Den. He launched his idea after the birth of his daughter due to his own need for bike storage and since then, the business has continued to thrive.
Despite such success stories, businesses in mid Wales are struggling to find larger commercial units or land on which to build, limiting their ability to scale up. Mr George has previously raised this issue with successive Economy Ministers in the Senedd, and this week asked Ministers for an update on what the Welsh Government is doing to help business looking to expand.
Mr George says he will be keeping up the pressure on what is being done to support business growth in the region, particularly around availability of suitable commercial premises in the Severn Valley area.
Commenting, Mr George said:
‘’It was great to visit Elliot and see for myself the success of Stashed Products. Despite the strong growth of the company and the exposure through Dragons Den, the lack of commercial property availability in Powys could stifle the businesses plans for job creation and growth.
‘’This is not a new issue, I have been urging the Welsh Government to address the lack of suitable business premises for many years.
‘’ There aren't sufficient commercial units available for businesses to move into larger premises, or land available for them to build on themselves. Businesses in mid Wales are keen to grow and employ more people but are being held back.
“This is of course a good problem to have, and it’s encouraging that so many businesses in mid Wales are thriving and wanting to grow.”
