Continue reading »]]> A massive thank you to all themembers who contributed in any shape or form to theSanta Dash, Nativity Walk and Late Night Shopping Event in thetown on Friday 2^nd December.  The Nativity Walk was a sight to behold with over 250 costumed ‘angels’ and ‘shepherds’ andtheir families parading from the Parish Church to the Castle Gates and culminated in the East Lancashire Hospice Santa Dash with over 300 Santas running, walking and crawling through the streets of Clitheroe in full Father Christmas costumes.

The event was a wonderful opportunity to present the very best that Clitheroe has to offer and will hopefully bring many more people back to Clitheroe to shop in the town.

Although this was the first collaboration between theParishChurchand the East Lancashire Hospice we do hope to develop this into an annual event with Late Night Shopping in the town.

The event can certainly be improved upon and in that regard we invite all members to our first Open Members Meeting to be held on Tuesday 10^th January (venue to be confirmed) to discuss any additions or ideas.

On another matter, with the onset of the winter weather I have been in discussion with Ribble Valley Borough Council about keeping the pavements free from snow and we have agreed that, should we have a repeat of the terrible snowy conditions of the last two years, the Council will endeavour to salt all pavements as soon as is practicable.

It would help all concerned if Businesses could sweep the pavements free of any snow to save compactation as it is difficult to dissolve the snow when compacted by foot traffic.  There seems to be a fallacy that anyone clearing pavements could be held liable for any accidents and I have looked into Government Guidelines which say that, provided the clearance is undertaken in a sensible manner, then there should not be any liability for claims on shopkeepers. 

There has to be a certain amount of common sense in this i.e, if anyone were to put water on walkways which then freezes then this could cause problems however a sensible sweeping or shovelling of any snow outside premises can only benefit the town as a whole.  The last two years were very difficult for shoppers moving to and from premises and I urge all businesses to help keep the footways clear prior to the Council salting the same.

Finally may I wish all our Members and their families a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and lets hope that the current economic climate improves significantly in 2012.

Yours sincerely

IAN S LLOYD

 PRESIDENT

CLITHEROE CHAMBER OF TRADE AND COMMERCE

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Jo Dixon & Kelly Dixon, Amelia's Brides

For those members who attended the Annual Presidential Dinner and Ball at The Stirk House Hotel on Saturday 5th February, thank you for your support.  For those members who were unable to attend you missed what can only be described as one of the best dinner dances I’ve been to in a long time.

Our grateful thanks go to Jo and Kelly from Amelia’s Brides in Moor Lane for their sterling efforts in organising a super evening celebrating The Chamber’s success over the last 12 months.  Thanks also go to Andrew Hale Photography and Janet for taking photos and group shots of the evening to be forwarded to the press and Lancashire Life.

The event was attended by over 130 members and guests of The Chamber including the Mayor of The Ribble Valley, the Deputy Speaker and Member of Parliament for The Ribble Valley, the Mayor of Clitheroe and the Leader of the Council.

We will shortly be able to confirm that a considerable sum was raised on the evening from a raffle and fund raising events which will be divided between The Chambers promotions and the President’s nominated charity, The Sanctuary at Langho.

Whilst writing may I remind all remembers that the 84^th Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 8^th March in the Ballroom at the newly re-opened Swan and Royal Hotel.

Nominations are being sought for President, Vice-President and two new members for the Executive Committee.  A new era has dawned for Clitheroe Chamber of Trade and Commerce and with over 100 new members in the last 12 months, The Chamber grows from strength to strength.  More than ever we need your support and input as the deadline for nominations comes nearer.Voting papers along with a copy of the Constitution, list of members, current Executive and Initiative Groups are available on request.

Once again thank you so much for your support on Saturday evening and over the last 12 months and I look forward to seeing you soon.

IAN S LLOYD
PRESIDENT
CLITHEROE CHAMBER OF TRADE AND COMMERCE

Continue reading »]]> Many thanks to all members who supported the One 2 One Membership Event at the Grand on Monday, 18th October.  Around 40 people attended the event with a number of existing members bringing new potential members to the evening.

The food supplied by The Grand and wine sponsored by Handelsbanken was excellent and it proved to be a good initial “drive for membership” and informal networking event.

This was, as with most events this year, a trial run and I am sure we will be having another one next year with a further drive on membership.

Several new members joined the Chamber which made the event truly worthwhile.  Thanks to Jacqueline Wadge and the Membership Committee for organising the event which I think was a very worthwhile promotion.

Don’t forget we are still looking for new members to build the Chamber numbers to continue to be the voice of the business community.   New Membership Packs sponsored by Design 360 are available from Jacqueline, jwl contemporary jewellery – info@bjwl.co.uk

Great Membership Offer for the remainder of 2010 – The Chamber is currently offering membership until February 2010 for £20, on completion of a Standing Order mandate for normal annual membership of £50.
Or you could pay for 2010 and 2011 together for £70 – no need to pay anything more until Feb 2012.

Continue reading »]]> Just a brief word to say a massive thank you to all members for participating in Saturday’s event.

Without doubt, the day was an unqualified success with an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 people coming into Clitheroe following the successful promotion of the day through the press and media.

This was the largest event undertaken by the Chamber in recent times and I would also personally like to take this opportunity to thank our PR Guru Pearl Mina and her events co-ordinator Sam Turner for their sterling efforts, not only on the day but through a number of weeks leading up to the event.

It is only with team effort and a lot of help from various organisations that a massive event such as this can take place. I plan to dedicate the majority of our next open meeting to the Street Market, where we can listen to and hear member’s views on how the day went and, if we do it again, how it could be improved. Your input would be gratefully appreciated and I hope you will be able to be with us on that evening. (Sam will be e-mailing you the date and venue). Although the day was promoted around the Fine Foods & Craft Market the amount of visitors to the town from out of the area secured our status of one of East Lancashire’s favourite places to visit, to enjoy the area and to shop in the town.

The re-birth of the Chamber has come a long way in such a short time and it is thanks to you for making events like this happen. My aim of attracting 200 members to the chamber before my year of office ends is gaining momentum and I am sure that with the success of the Street Market many more traders, businesses and professionals will get involved by becoming members and making us a force to be reckoned with.

Thank you once again for all your efforts and contributions and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Yours sincerely

Ian S Lloyd

PRESIDENT

Clitheroe Chamber of Trade and Commerce

Continue reading »]]> 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.”