Practical steps for navigating global shocks, rising costs, and local pressures.
Running a small business in Berkshire means that you are operating in one of the most competitive, high cost regions in the UK, and in 2026, the pressure has increased again.
The knock on effects of conflict in the Middle East, rising wage costs, stubborn inflation, and the cost of operating in the Thames Valley, mean that resilience is a necessity. But it doesn’t have to mean “batten down the hatches and hope for the best.” It’s about taking smart, practical steps that give your business more breathing room when the world gets noisy.
Here are 7 tips from our Business Adviser, Lesley McKie, on things that you can consider to make your business more resilient.
1. Strengthen your supply chain before it becomes a problem
Global instability, including the ongoing tensions involving Iran, continues to disrupt shipping routes. Even if you’re not importing directly, your suppliers probably are, and that’s why businesses are seeing unpredictable delivery times and rising costs. This isn’t unfamiliar, and for many businesses it will about reviewing the steps taken during the pandemic.
What you can do now:
• Line up secondary suppliers, ideally UK based.
• Keep a little buffer stock of your most critical items.
• Review contracts for clauses around delays and price changes.
• Talk to neighbouring businesses or your network to see what they’re doing. They might have some good knowledge!
A resilient supply chain isn’t about stockpiling; it’s about having options and alternatives.
2. Tackle rising wage costs with smarter operations
The 2026 minimum wage increase has landed hard on labour intensive sectors including hospitality, retail, care providers, and cleaning firms.
You can’t avoid the wage rise, but you can soften the impact.
Practical steps:
• Use simple automation tools (EPOS, scheduling, stock systems) to cut admin hours, and research how AI could support your business.
• Cross train your team so you’re not over reliant on overtime and can more easily cover absences.
• Review your pricing. Although we’re often very apprehensive about raising prices, customers understand higher costs when you explain the “why.”
• Tap into local training and apprenticeship support to upskill staff. The Berkshire Skills Hub can help.
3. Reduce your exposure to high operating costs
Running a business in Berkshire can be expensive, with commercial rents in some locations amongst the highest in the South East. It’s not just rents, but energy and insurance costs too.
How to build resilience:
- Consider hybrid working or flexible workspace — Bracknell, Reading, Slough and Maidenhead all have excellent coworking options.
- Do an energy audit to see where you might be able to lower costs (and reduce carbon emissions). There are tools to help you at the UK Business Climate Hub.
- Renegotiate supplier contracts annually. Remember that loyalty doesn’t always equal value.
- Build a cash buffer to absorb sudden cost spikes.
Small changes can make a big impact over time.
4. Don’t ignore the emotional side of resilience
After years of uncertainty, from the pandemic to Brexit, to the current Middle East situation many business owners are simply tired. Decision fatigue is real. It’s easy to feel like you’re always one step behind.
What helps:
- Going along to local networking meetings
- Delegate or outsource admin tasks that drain your time and energy. If you’re not sure where to start, have a look at Business Support Services in the Business Directory
- Create a simple internal plan so your team knows what to do when things go sideways.
Resilience isn’t just operational, it’s personal
5. Make cyber resilience a non negotiable
Cyber‑attacks remain one of the biggest risks for SMEs and is one of the top priorities for any business thinking about resilience.
Some quick wins:
- Turn on multi‑factor authentication everywhere.
- Train staff to spot phishing attempts.
- Keep software updated and backed up.
A few small habits can prevent a very big headache.
6. Prepare for environmental disruption
Flooding and severe weather remain real risks across parts of Berkshire, especially near the Thames and Kennet. How prepared are you for the unexpected?
Simple steps:
- Sign up for flood and severe weather alerts, Get Flood Warnings.
- Protect physical stock and equipment.
- Check your insurance actually covers weather‑related disruption.
- Have a remote‑working plan ready to go.
You don’t need to make substantial investments, but you do need a plan.
7. Make the most of Berkshire’s support ecosystem
One of the biggest advantages of being in Berkshire is the amount of support available, but many businesses don’t know it exists.
Right now, you can access:
- Free 1‑to‑1 advice from the Berkshire Growth Hub
- Regular lunchtime Business Booster sessions on a range of topics
- Business continuity guidance through the CODE RED Resilience Scheme
- Networking and export support via Thames Valley Chamber
- Connections and support for digital innovation businesses at the Reading Tech Cluster
If you’re feeling stuck, there’s help closer than you think!
Final thought
Resilience isn’t about predicting the next crisis. It’s about building a business that can bend and accommodate the inevitable changes that come along. Berkshire SMEs are some of the most adaptable, ambitious and resourceful in the country. With a few smart adjustments, you can give your business the stability it needs to thrive, no matter what 2026 throws your way.
The Berkshire Growth Hub is here to support small and medium-sized businesses. If you would like to talk to one of our advisers, then drop an email to us at [email protected] and we can set up a call. If you’re based elsewhere in the UK, you can find your local Growth Hub here.
