A New President for the Chamber

A new era and a new President for Clitheroe Chamber of  Trade and Commerce was announced to local traders and businesses at the 83^rd Annual General Meeting of Clitheroe Chamber of Trade and Commerce, at The Grand Venue, last Tuesday evening.

A packed audience of Chamber members voted in their new president, Mr. Ian Lloyd, a Director of Mortimer’s Chartered Surveyors and Estate Agents. Mr Lloyd is a stalwart and established figurehead in Clitheroe and the Ribble Valleys business community with over twenty seven years living and working   in the area, as well serving the community as a highly active charity and event fundraiser, with his pro-active personal involvement including the Clitheroe Lions, Honorary Surveyor to the Clitheroe Citizens Advice Bureau, and Trustee on the Board of Clitheroe Castle.  Mr. Lloyd’s passion and commitment to the future of Clitheroe Town centre is also reflected in his role as an advisor on the Town Centre Regeneration Committee.

The new Vice President role will be jointly run by executive members, Jacqueline Wadge from Jwl Contemporary Jewellery on Wellgate and local business development coach John Garrod, from Ology Business Management.  Sam Turner of John Turner, Independent Financial Adviser in Fern Court Business Centre will remain as Secretary and Coordinator, Karin Wilson from Tax Assist Accountants is Treasurer and Pearl Mina, from Pearl Mina, PR & Media Creative, continues as the Chambers PR & Press Officer.

The Chamber has had a complete internal restructuring and now benefits from a full Executive Committee and several fully active area cluster groups with members overseeing Press & PR, Marketing, Special Events, Social and Networking, Civic Affairs, Web Site and Internet Development, Financial and Membership.

Mr Ian Lloyd is delighted in his new role as President and said:

“To all those members who attended the Annual General Meeting at The Grand last Tuesday evening, may I thank you for your support and your confidence in electing me as a suitable candidate to take over the presidency of the Chamber from Nigel Pratt.  Nigel has lead the Chamber through a difficult period over the last twelve months and I thank him for his guidance and leadership over the last three years.

The Chamber has gone through one of the most turbulent times in recent years and we continue to work through the most difficult of trading conditions.

The enthusiasm and zest I have encountered from new members and traders in the town has been overwhelming and it has been very gratifying to see the amount of hard work that has been put in to rebuilding the Chamber over the last few months.

This is a great time to take stock, refresh our team spirit, develop new strategies and for the chamber to be re-invigorated and rejuvenated.

Finally there are some brilliant ideas in the offing for the next twelve months and I do hope that all members of the Chamber will join in and support where ever possible.

We now have over ninety five members in the Chamber and are seeking to continually improve the calibre, expertise and variety of members and to significantly increase and extend the membership over the coming year. Our priority goal is based upon consolidation and growth and to actively build upon and support our relationships with the local council and tourism board and associated agencies, attractions and venues.

The regeneration of Clitheroe town centre starts from within and we must make Clitheroe a pleasurable shopping destination and stand out experience for visitors and local people as soon as they arrive. Our members have encouraged, motivated and inspired each other and more than ever there is a remarkable sense of civic pride, camaraderie and a new hope for the future.

However there is still much work to be done. The recession and other economic and social factors mean that we are still trading in unprecedented times.  As traders and individual business owners we need to be bold and adapt to survive and together we can be a formidable force for change and development if we stand firm together.

We are looking to encourage growth and confidence in our membership and  our main  strategy throughout 2010 is to reach out  to the many shops, supermarkets,  boutiques, cafes, bars, restaurants and also the commercial and corporate businesses in Clitheroe and district and together we can make a long lasting, quality and empowering impact to the future of our beautiful, historic and unique town.”