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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

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Chamber says burn off those calories by shopping in Wotton

January 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 : Click to view PDF

High Street sales are up - Wotton’s Chamber of Trade welcomes survey findings

November 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 : Click to view PDF

Local businesses working in partnership.