President’s Report . . .
As newly elected Joint Presidents of the Chamber, Ed Holmes and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Barbara Woodifield for her work over the last two years. Barbara has laid a foundation from which we intend to build, ensuring that we work hard for our members and the town’s business community over the coming year.
Our aims include; forging improved links with similar organisations both in the town and surrounding Ringwood area, improving communication with members, encouraging new membership, working together with our members to better represent their views and needs, as well as bringing in initiatives to bolster the area. We hope that we can count on renewed support from the business community.
We have an enterprising committee working with us this year:
Belinda Charlton of BCA Marketing
Phil Harmsworth of The Workshop
Deborah Holmes of Camarilla
Chris Jackson of Foxfield Trading
Nik Kerry of Ringwood Internet
Nigel Welsh of Ringwood Brewery
A wide variety of input is essential to achieving success, therefore we are very keen to hear from people within our business community who would like to get involved, as there are a number of sub-committees and steering groups to cover the various projects in the pipeline. Please contact us for more details stating any particular area of interest that you wish to work within.
Leigh Neville
Christmas 2009 ...
As one of the important parts of the retail calendar, plans are already being discussed for this year’s Christmas Parade. We are also involved
in the Christmas Lights Working Party in conjunction with the Town Council.
Feedback from members has told us that there are areas for improvement - in particular we are concentrating on making Christmas 2009 an event for the whole community as well as pulling business into the town for our retailers.
The Christmas sub-committee will provide the backbone of the event organisation, so we would particularly like to hear from retailers from each part of the town who are able to assist with this. The event will cost an estimated £10,000 so we are also looking for local business sponsorship. Please contact us if you would like more information or can offer assistance.
Loyalty Scheme ...
Ringwood Loyalty Discount Scheme. Well done to Jim Stride, Jemma Pipe and Jackie Howchin for an amazing job with launching the scheme and a fantastic idea to encourage shoppers to buy from our top-notch shops and businesses. For more information visit www.rlds.co.uk
Diary Dates ...
We have already put an outline calendar in place for the year, so here are the first dates for your diary:
27th March 5.30pm
Informal Drinks at Seven Fish, Fridays Cross – Open to all.
Please come along as we would love to see as many local businesses attend as possible for some conversation about important local issues and also some fun!
1st April 7.30pm
Retiring President’s Dinner at Seven Fish, Fridays Cross
Tickets £25.00
12th May 6.00pm
Networking Night. The theme will be “Effective Networking”.
There will be a structured business networking section when you can take active part in meeting existing, new and non-members from the business circuit. We have limited places available so please contact us to register for this event which will be held at Ringwood Brewery.
Please contact us for more information on any of these events.
Chamber Members can advertise here at a discounted rate.
Contact us for more information
