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Wotton's traders to support Independents' Day

June 20th 2011

On 4th July 2011 across the country, the public will be encouraged to buy at least one item from their local, independent shop to keep the high street alive.

Skillsmart Retail and the National Skills Academy for Retail have teamed up with independent retailers and trade associations around the country to encourage the public to celebrate diversity on the high street and support their local, independent retailers on 4^th July. Retailers can download the ‘Your high street needs you!’ poster online, ‘like’ the campaign on Facebook and following it on twitter.

Fresh data from Local Data Company’s surveys of 2,700 UK retail destinations (out of a potential 4,400 total UK destinations), highlights that high street vacancy rates have started to rise again. The Local Data Company states that 14.6% of outlets are now vacant. This indicates that approximately 50,000 units are now not currently open to business on the UK high streets, showing just how challenging the situation is on the ground.

On the morning of the 4^th, Wotton’s traders will be gathering at a special breakfast meeting in McQuiggs Cafe Restaurant to show their solidarity and support for the event.

Jacqui Moore, Vice President of Wotton’s Chamber of Trade and owner of the home furnishings shop Mungos said: “We all love Wotton but for it to survive we need a vibrant shopping centre. We are calling on our community to recognise and enjoy the wide variety of shops and services that are available locally. “

Anne Seaman, Chief Executive of Skillsmart Retail said: “We are delighted to lead this campaign and support small retailers. Raising awareness amongst the public is one of the biggest challenges smaller retailers face and our message is about encouraging the public to use their local high street and understand how important a diverse retail sector is.

It’s also essential that local retailers understand that to compete today they need to be top of their game. The time for sitting back has passed and action is required: Your high street needs you!”

See the pdf below for details of the breakfast meeting

More Information : Click to view PDF

See how the Gazette reported the member survey story

June 14th 2011

Click on the pdf below to see how the Gazette reported the story

More Information : Click to view PDF

Chamber Snippets 3

May 25th 2011

Here is the third set of Chamber Snippets following our Committee meeting last week:

1) The big issue recently has been the membership survey into whether you, our members, are in support of Renishaw developing the Old Town site with a supermarket. I have reproduced the form elsewhere in this News section of our website and added the exact voting for each question so that you can see for yourself just how it went. I have also added the gist of any comments made.

2) The other big news which will become apparent when you visit the web site is the launch of the new Wotton video.

Thanks to James Walsh we now have a video which wonderfully depicts the character and beauty of the town in which we live and work. It is very much a first cut as we film makers say and we aim to improve on it and have a new version for the autumn. We would therefore welcome your comments about what should be included, what should not be included and anything like that. There will be an opportunity to discuss it at the AGM (see the next item) but if you want to preempt it or if you can't make it then if you could send them to the president@wotton.biz they will be passed to the film committee. We look forward to receiving your comments and input!

More on that in the near future. But in the meantime, give it a chance to download first to avoid stops, turn up your sound, watch and enjoy.

3) Our AGM is to be held on Monday 13 June at 8pm in the Star. Come and join in this important annual meeting. There will be a free buffet and we will have an open forum to discuss the results of the survey and also the video. Please try and come and don’t worry about the possibility of being landed with a job as most of the Committee have indicated their willingness to stand again. Come and contribute to your Chamber. You know it makes sense!

To help with the catering can you please visit the web site home page and book in the usual way

4) After a bit of a lull we are planning a July breakfast meeting on Friday 8th in McQuiggs at 7:45am. Be quick with your booking as these meetings have been very popular and are often oversubscribed. Book in the usual way via the website.

Your committee acknowledges that the programme of events that has worked so well in the past has rather lapsed. We are looking to reintroduce a fixed programme of events with alternating breakfast and supper club meetings interspersed with other items. More details later.

5) The good ladies at the Royal Oak have decided to hold a garden party on the May bank holiday, May 25^th, to raise money for Wotton-in-Bloom. Tickets for the raffle are on sale at the Royal Oak Inn, Clarences in the High Street, the town cinema and the Bear Street Garage. Anyone interested in having a stall or wishing to donate anything towards the day can do so by contacting Emily Nash at 'The Royal Oak' on 01453 842316.

There is to be a ‘Silver Mile’ fundraiser on 18^th June where an attempt will be made to lay a mile length of silver coins along Wotton’s streets.

There will be a fund raising Gardner’s Question Time to be held at the Wotton Electric Picture House on 7^th June when three local gardening experts will be quizzed on their knowledge.

Your committee has agreed to support Wotton in Bloom with a donation of £500.

6) I am repeating an appeal made last time for a member to undertake the organisation of our social events. You won’t be on your own as help comes from many directions. We just need somebody to coordinate it all. If there are any takers please contact Alex Wilkinson on 07976272764.

Thank you.

Trevor Mason (under-the-edge media)

Publicity Officer - Wotton Chamber of Trade

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