BUSINESS NEWS IN WITHAM - SPRING 2007

Crowds of shoppers came to Witham to see the special events in December:

live reindeer from the Cairngorms (photo on Chamber web site),

the Farmers’ Market televised by BBC TV “Country File” 

Farleigh Hospice’s Dickensian Market.

The Chamber would like to thank Wendy Harlow of the Grove Shopping Centre and Farleigh for providing entertainment that encouraged more people to visit the town.

Want an Answer?– then come to lunch

We have frank discussions with the leader of Braintree District Council, our M.P., the Police and a “green” organisation; other topics included: internet shopping, parking, the budget and training issues over lunch.  Our hosts, Marsh Ltd, are based in the centre of Witham and they provide an excellent light lunch.  In 2007 we will also have a networking lunches, where members can promote their own company, new product or service.  London 2012 will be the topic for a special evening meeting.

Lunch venue:  Marsh Ltd, Grove House (off Newland Street, behind the wall, nearly opposite he Library.

Diary Dates:

Wed - 17 January	12.55 p.m.	Parking Issues
Wed - 21 February	12.55 p.m.	Crime & punishment (speakers to be confirmed)
Wed - 21 March	12.55 p.m.	Members Hot Topics & Inter-business opportunity
Wed - 18 April	12.55 p.m.	Budget – Tips & Taxes & AGM
Wed - 16 May	Evening	London 2012 opportunities  (White Hart Hotel)
Wed - 20 June	12.55 p.m.	to be announced
Wed - 25 July or 18	12.55 p.m.	Parliamentary report (to be confirmed)
Wed - August	Evening	Food and drink
Wed - 19 September	12.55 p.m.	to be confirmed
Wed - 17 October	Evening	to be confirmed
Wed - 21 November	12.55 p.m.	to be confirmed
Wed - 12 December	12.30 p.m.	Christmas lunch

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Watch the press and the Chamber web site for details of the 2007 Witham Chamber Photographic Competition entries from all ages will be encouraged..

What does the Chamber do?
We endeavour to support local business people and to respond to their queries also:

The Chamber represents Witham business at the:
Braintree (District) Business Council and the
Braintree Economic Development Council where we try to ensure that the interests of Witham are not overtaken by the demands of Braintree. 

The Chamber also has representation on the:
Witham Strategy Group,
Christmas Decorations,
Witham Town Council’s Partnership Forum (anti social behaviour),
 Industrial Watch and other groups. 

We also provide the press with comments and feedback as well as alerting them to potential news items.  Your comments are always welcome please email via www.withamchamber.com or if urgent telephone the chairman: 01376 513640.

Business Comments - let us reflect your views

2007 – too busy to discuss issues lunchtime? Then let off steam at the Chamber’s Business Meetings, 6 p.m. – 7.15 p.m. first Tuesday in the month. 

Please contact Annette Hammond.

WHY JOIN?  WHAT PRICE?       £25 to £150 per company

Retailers, Jewellery and clothing manufacturers, solicitors, property managers, IT solutions, Bankers are some of the businesses that make up the Witham Chamber of Commerce.  An active group eager to discuss the challenges faced by local:  planners, police, prosecutors, fellow businesses and local government during the monthly lunch meetings. 

“Use it or Lose it” - Retail and shoppers
The British Retail Consortium has just announced that the retail trade was more buoyant at Christmas than had been anticipated; we understand that this trend was reflected in many shops in the town.  Concerns about the potential loss of trade to direct internet sales have resulted in several local shops providing an additional on-line purchase service that has broadened their customer base.  Some of us still enjoy the “instant shopping experience” and the satisfaction of finding, trying on and buying clothes that you can wear that night. 

The people of Witham say they want more shops in Witham but we all need to  demonstrate our support for the shops that do exist in the town “Use it or loose it” is a motto that we need to adopt.  If prospective investors and independent shop owners can see there is a good market in Witham for their products and services we have a better chance of attracting even more quality shops and services businesses.

2,000 new shoppers for Witham!
The Maltings Lane development with over 1,000 new residential units should provide shops with a potential new customer base of at least 2,000 people.  The new residents need easy access to Witham town centre, reasonable parking costs or an efficient bus service, a range of shops and friendly service; otherwise they will make their shopping habit a “Chelmsford shopping habit.”  Witham is lucky, it still has a selection of independent shops as well as a range of multiples, there are at least 7 clothes shops for Women in Witham, plus a number of charity outlets. 

At one time people complained that the country’s high streets were being taken over by banks and building societies, next came the rapid growth in charity shops and the current trend seems to be the ever increasing “huddle” of estate agents (I am not sure of the collective name for estate agents!!) taking over yet more retail space.

Industrial Watch
The Chamber has been a supportive member of Witham Industrial Watch since it was created in the summer of 2005.  Thanks to the determination of Kate Carling of Gecko Ltd over 120 companies on industrial estates have formed a network that alerts members of suspicious people and vehicles.  The result has been greater awareness in security, increased co-operation from staff and additional practical support to assist Witham Police.

All businesses on Freenbournes, Eastways and in Crittalls Road could benefit by signing up to the Industrial Watch Network – contact Kate Carling kate@geckojewellery.com  
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Use it or Lose it
Let’s support local suppliers, let’s not just say we will – let’s do it!!