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Press ReleasesChamber member receives payout from Gloucestershire County CouncilMay 21st 2010 A trader in Wotton under Edge has received a cheque from Gloucestershire County Council in recompense for the disruption and damage to his trade when the centre of the town was closed at short notice for road works a couple of months ago. Gareth Kitchen, who owns the kitchen and cookware shop and website Cookability, received settlement in full for a claim he made earlier this year. He said: “I took great trouble to keep my claim of modest proportions as, after all, it is the tax payers’ money. It was a point of principle. The lack of sufficient notice given by the Council and the breaks in communication elsewhere had a noticeable effect on the town’s trade. This was not the first time recently that little or no notice of local road closures has been given so I decided that it was time to make a stand to protect our livelihoods. Had we been given the level of notice that statute demands then we could have made decisions on opening hours and staffing levels. That choice was not given and that is why with the Chamber of Trade’s assistance I offered to help anyone else who wanted to make a claim with their applications by providing a template.” The President of Wotton’s Chamber of Trade, Alex Wilkinson said: “Once again we have demonstrated the importance of the Chamber to the town’s traders and the community at large. Our membership is continuing to grow and our united voice certainly caused some large ripples in the Council’s pond. We showed them that we will stand up for our members and their businesses. We are not prepared to be downtrodden. “ Other traders in the town are now eagerly awaiting the outcome of their applications. Gareth Kitchen added : “There is a positive outcome to all of this as I understand that as a result of this farcical situation some of the Council’s procedures are to be amended for the future. See how the Gazette reported the story in the pdf below More Information :
Wotton’s Chamber gets Church’s backingApril 6th 2010 St Mary’s Church in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire has become the 105th member of the town’s Chamber of Trade. Despite the gloom of the recession the Chamber is still gaining new members and continuing well beyond the target of one hundred set at the beginning of last year in an effort to further strengthen the voice of local traders in these difficult times. The Reverend Rob Axford believes that it is important for the church to be part of the community. He said: “So often the church is seen cap in hand asking for support when really we should be amongst those supporting and serving our local community. Over the last two years we have been working on a mission statement which says something about ‘Growing the church community to serve the wider community’ and being part of the Chamber of Trade is one way of putting those words into practice. Personally, having come into the church from an engineering background, it is good to be able to share the commercial life of the community. Neither I nor the church claim to have the answers; rather a willingness to walk with our community through all aspects of life.” Chamber president, Alex Wilkinson, said: “I am delighted to welcome St Mary’s Church into the Chamber. Wotton’s business community is continuing to shun a national trend. It is nearly a year since we celebrated our love of the town in a day of festivities and activities which achieved mention in the national media. Now our local business leaders have been joined by one of our spiritual leaders to ensure that our community remains healthy for the future. We achieved a membership of one hundred last November and it is continuing to grow. I am in discussions with other local businesses which will take us well beyond that figure.” The Wotton-under-Edge Chamber of Trade was reformed in 2005 after a gap of 5 years and now has more than 105 members covering the entire range of local businesses from sole traders to public limited companies. Acting as a voice for local commerce it works in partnership with other organisations to promote and develop business in Wotton and the surrounding area and to ensure that it remains healthy. Not only does the Chamber represent the interests of local business it also provides support and an opportunity for members to meet and exchange ideas through a busy programme of social events and talks by influential local and national guest speakers. Any concerns expressed by members can be precisely targeted thanks to the Chamber’s close relationships with key local organisations, local government, statutory bodies and other decision makers to provide a real influence on local policies. Anyone interested in joining can visit the Chamber’s web site at www.wotton.biz. See how the local media reported this story in the pdf below More Information :
Chamber to obtain legal advice for its members following road closureMarch 17th 2010 The Chamber of Trade in Wotton-under-Edge is to obtain legal advice which should provide its members with all that is necessary to pursue a claim for compensation from Gloucestershire County Council for lost business. This follows the Council’s failure to give traders adequate notice during the recent closure of the main road through the town to install a traffic calming system. A high proportion of the town’s traders attended an emergency meeting of the Chamber on Monday evening where they expressed their anger and frustration at the short notice they had been given and the apparent lack of concern shown by the Council. Chamber President Alex Wilkinson said:” A prime function of the Chamber is to be a collective voice for its members and that is why my committee has decided to take legal advice. We are determined to see this matter through. Although Gloucestershire Country Council is a law unto itself where it can make and break any rules it likes we have good reason to believe that not all the legal processes were followed in the planning of this work. We recognise that it is a ‘fait accomplis’ although some of our members doubt that it will actually slow the traffic down. The traders in this town are finding it difficult enough to make ends meet without this sort of thing happening. Someone has to take responsibility for this situation. Since the meeting I have had some legal advice from one of our members and early indications are that we might have a valid case. I am trying to arrange a meeting with Jason Humm, Gloucestershire County Council’s Highways Manager to discuss the whole issue.” He added that not all those who attended the emergency meeting are Chamber members and hoped that they might consider joining if he can demonstrate that he means business. In the meantime a detailed timeline of the events leading up to the closure is being assembled for presentation to solicitors; the aim being to provide any members who want to claim for compensation with a package of information to simplify the process. Click on th epdf below for one local person's thoughts. More Information :
Wotton is going to be blooming marvellous this year!March 12th 2010 Wotton in Bloom, a project being jointly organised by the Wotton-under-Edge Chamber of Trade and the town’s Regeneration Partnership, has launched an appeal for funds to supply hanging baskets throughout the centre of the town this year. Chamber President Alex Wilkinson said: “We have secured some funds by grants and donations from the likes of Stroud District Council, our own town council and other organisations including the Chamber itself. We are also recouping some of the costs from the traders in the town who are paying just under £20 per basket; a price which includes the cost of a local contractor keeping them watered and maintained throughout the season. But we still have a shortfall of around £3000 and so are appealing to the good folk of Wotton to help us by making a donation of any amount they can. This is such a good opportunity to dress up the town with colour and attract visitors that it would be a pity if we were to fail for such a small amount. “ The Wotton Farm Shop has undertaken to supply the 150 hanging baskets necessary and over the next few weeks they will be planted and cultivated ready for hanging around the beginning of June. Before then a survey of the buildings will be carried out and brackets supplied where necessary. The original idea was proposed by Peter Roberts, Managing Director of the printing company Clarendon Press. He said: “I saw how the centre of Thornbury was transformed by hanging baskets last year and proposed that we do the same in Wotton. I am really excited at the prospect of seeing so much colour in the town over the coming summer and, as a member of the organising committee am indebted to all of those who have supported and contributed to the idea. If it is a success we are hoping to repeat the exercise next year with the possibility of entering the Britain in Bloom competition.” If anyone would like to make a donation they can do so by contacting Alex Wilkinson through the Chamber of Trade’s web site at www.wotton.biz or by telephoning 07976 272764 See how the Gazette is covering the story in the pdf below More Information :
Chamber says burn off those calories by shopping in WottonJanuary 26th 2010 The Wotton under Edge Chamber of Trade has called on shoppers in the area to come to the town and shed unwanted pounds following the results of some research recently carried out by the high street chain of stores, Debenhams. It found that the average British woman, while browsing in shops, walks the equivalent distance of London to Cardiff in a year; a distance in excess of 150 miles. In a week she spends 2.5 hours browsing and shopping and walking about three miles. Combined with carrying heavy bags full of bargains she burns off around 385 calories. In contrast, men covered about half that distance in just 50 minutes shopping. Chamber president, Alex Wilkinson, said: “Now that the recession is officially over then what better way to get lose weight for the summer than to shop in the town. There is little that cannot be obtained locally, our traders couldn’t be more helpful and you don’t have to travel miles to do it.” See the pdf below to see how the Gazette reported the story. More Information :
High Street sales are up - Wotton’s Chamber of Trade welcomes survey findingsNovember 30th 2009 The Wotton-under-Edge Chamber of Trade has welcomed the findings of a survey carried out by the CBI. Its latest Distributive Trades Survey has established that retail sales grew at their fastest pace over the last two years and that the high street is expecting growth to pick up further in the run-up to Christmas. Chamber president, Alex Wilkinson, said: “This is good news for Wotton’s traders. 2009 has been a difficult year for some of our members. Consumers are getting into the pre-Christmas mood and although they are still worried about job security and a weak economy there is some noticeable activity where they are trying to beat the rise in VAT due in January. I don’t think that recovery when it comes is going to be an overnight affair. ” The survey covers 20,000 outlets of firms responsible for 40 per cent of employment in retailing. Responding to the survey, 40% of retailers said that their volume of sales in the year to November had risen, while 27% said they fell. The resulting balance of +13% reflects a second consecutive month of growth and, while not quite as strong as expected (+19%), it was the highest balance since November 2007 (+13%). See the pdf below for how the Gazette reported the story More Information :
Christmas under-the-EdgeNovember 29th 2009 See the pdf below for coverage in the Gazette More Information :
Wotton Chamber has Pudsey breakfastNovember 20th 2009 Four cafes in Wotton-under-Edge opened their doors early to customers today when they laid on a special Pudsey breakfast for the BBC’s annual Children in Need appeal. The Wotton Chamber of Trade arranged for four of its member businesses: the Swann Hotel, the Wotton Coffee Shop, the Singing Teapot and McQuiggs to open their doors at 7.30am to cook a full English breakfast for grownups and a bacon roll and drink for children. Anyone who showed up in their pyjamas or fancy dress got a discount. Speaking later, Chamber President Alex Wilkinson said: “This is just the sort of thing we want to pull the town’s traders together. We have had a live broadcast on BBC Radio Gloucestershire and BBC Points West sent along a cameraman; all of which are a shot in the arm and helping to get Wotton placed firmly on the map. We have raised just over £400 and I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the event” See the pdf for pictures (courtesy of under-the-edge media) and cuttings. More Information :
Wotton Chamber scores 100 not out!November 17th 2009 The Full Moon public house at Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire has just become the one hundredth member of the Wotton-under-Edge Chamber of Trade. Despite the gloom of the recession the Chamber has achieved the target set at the beginning of this year in an effort to further strengthen the voice of local traders in these difficult times. Chamber president, Alex Wilkinson, said: “Once again the business community of Wotton has shunned a national trend. Last April we celebrated our love of the town in a day of festivities and activities which achieved mention in the national media. This time our local business leaders are joining forces to ensure that our community remains healthy for the future. We have reached a century but it isn’t stopping there. I am already in discussions with other local businesses which will take us well beyond that figure.” Landlord Joe Carley, who runs the Full Moon pub with his wife Teresa and their daughter Amanda Robson, is sure of the benefits of membership. He said:” With our thriving skittles alley and other pub league games like dominoes and darts we probably bring more people into Wotton than any other pub. Being a member of the Chamber will enable us to become more closely involved with the town and its community." The Wotton-under-Edge Chamber of Trade was reformed in 2005 after a gap of 5 years and now has 100 members covering the entire range of local businesses from sole traders to public limited companies. Acting as a voice for local commerce it works in partnership with other organisations to promote and develop business in Wotton and the surrounding area and to ensure that it remains healthy. Not only does the Chamber represent the interests of local business it also provides support and an opportunity for members to meet and exchange ideas through a busy programme of social events and talks by influential local and national guest speakers. Any concerns expressed by members can be precisely targeted thanks to the Chamber’s close relationships with key local organisations, local government, statutory bodies and other decision makers to provide a real influence on local policies. Anyone interested in joining can visit the Chamber’s web site at www.wotton.biz. See attached pdf for picture (Courtesy of under-the-edge media) and Press Cuttings. More Information :
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