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Bath Chamber news, information and events for GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce members.

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AGM
This year’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday May 19th at Wessex Water on Claverham Down starting at 6.00pm. Members who would like to find out more about how they can get involved with the work of the Committees should contact info@bathchamber.co.uk by Thursday April 16th at the latest.

Economic Barometer
Every month, Bath Chamber of Commerce gathers statistical information to help paint a picture of the health of the local economy which appears in full in the Bath Chronicle Business magazine. It doesn’t claim to be wholly comprehensive, but it does provide an interesting insight.
Bath unemployment rate is still just under 2%, compared to 5% in Bristol and 7% in Swindon.
Footfall in the city centre rose to 43,000 for February 2009 compared to 41,000 for February 2007 and 2008.
Retail sales are close to the levels achieved during the same period in 2008.
Solicitors and estate agents are continuing to report gradually increasing interest in residential properties and commercial properties are still in demand.
Very few Council properties are empty and the Development and the Regeneration group are receiving business enquires at the rate of about 30 a month.
The Roman Baths saw an 11% increase in visitor numbers in January.
If you have information which could be included in the next barometer, please send it to info@bathchamber.co.uk

Parking
Bath and North East Somerset Council is currently working up a series of options for future car parking pricing. The Chamber will be involved in the consultations about the proposals at an early stage. If you have views please contact us at info@bathchamber.co.uk

Park & Ride Planning Application
The formal consultation process is now closed and applications are anticipated to be submitted to Development Control Committee by the end of May.

Bath City Centre Deliveries
Almost 90 businesses responded to the survey of delivery vehicles, which has provided an excellent sample. The returns are now being analysed and the results will be published as soon as they are available.

Major shopping campaign
Property owners in Bath have set up a fund to help promote the retail offering. The Council has also contributed cash, a creative brief has been drawn up and it’s hoped the first adverts will be seen next month.

More Christmas Market is coming – just not yet
The Chamber supported the proposal to extend the length of the event but there was insufficient time to complete all the necessary administrative steps in time for this year’s Market. However, 2010 should see an 18 day market and there is plenty of time for wide consultation with interested parties.

Sustainable Communities Strategy
Bath and North East Somerset Council are in the process of preparing the document and would welcome input from the business community. In the past the Chamber has lobbied for the promotion of Bath as a place to do business, for the freeing up of Council Land for employment use, streamlining the Planning Process, provision of more modern office spaces, identifying space for additional hotels and for the creation of additional incubator spaces in order to retain a higher proportion of graduates. If you have ideas please send them to info@bathchamber.co.uk

New Members
The Chamber of Commerce continues to attract new members. Latest to sign up are:
Brunel Metrology Services Ltd, Paulton
Kate Gibson Events Ltd,Saltford
Tone Images Ltd, Yeovil
Motivational Leadership Ltd, Chapmanslade, Wiltshire

Breakfast with Dennis
HSBC Chief Economist, Dennis Turner, will be revealing his take on the current state of the economy at a breakfast meeting at Leigh Court Business Centre in Bristol on Thursday April 30th, from 7.30am – 9.00am. The cost for members is just £10 + vat. Full details from events@gwebusinesswest.co.uk.

University Challenge
A new Masterplan to take the Claverton campus of the University of Bath through to 2020 has been submitted to the Council for consideration and endorsement.  Details can be found at www.bath.ac.uk/news 

Postal services
The Communication Workers Union is campaigning to prevent the sell off of part of Royal Mail to TNT. They say deliveries will get later, the service will deteriorate and costs will rise. Naturally, Royal Mail take a different view. If you feel strongly about the issue and feel the Chamber should lobby one way or the other, please contact us at info@bathchamber.co.uk

Star Prize
Thermae Bath Spa is running their first Malaysian Spa Festival between April 22nd and May 17th when a selection of traditional treatments and cuisine will be available. To celebrate the event they are running a free competition with a prize of a trip to Malaysia for two people, including return flights, 2 nights at The Ritz-Carlton in Kuala Lumpur plus a spa treatment and 5 nights at the Pangkor Laut Resort plus a spa treatment. Full information, including the competition is at: www.spafestival.co.uk

You’re having a laugh
The Bath Comedy Festival runs through to April 12th. Full details are available at: www.visitbath.co.uk

Better Bath Forum
The next meeting will discuss Bath’s World Heritage status on  Saturday April 18th at the Building of Bath Collection, Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel, The Vineyards, the Paragon, Bath at 10.30am for an 11.00am start. The meeting is being run in association with the Bath Preservation Trust to celebrate World Heritage Day. More information at: www.betterbath.org.uk

Sell yourself
NETWORK CENTRAL 09 will be the largest event of its kind in the South West with an aim of attracting more than 600 businesses from across the region, with 3 speed networking sessions, seminars and up to 80 exhibition pitches. This free event will be held on May 15th at the venue, Junction24 in Bridgwater. More details on the GWE Business West Chambers news blog gwebusinesswestchambers.wordpress.com or register at www.allnetworking.co.uk 

Bath City of Festivals
A PDF of Festivals and Events is available of the major festivals calendar on visitbath.co.uk

Supplying the Public Sector
Friday June 12th at the University of the West of England – Glendinning Lecture Theatre on the Frenchay Campus – 9.30am – 2.30pm. Speakers from the region's key procurement teams will provide information about how to pitch into an important and potentially lucrative market. The event is free but booking is required. Further information from  www.bristol.gov.uk/procurement

Jam Busting June
The fifth annual push from the four Councils in the former Avon area to encourage workers to change to more sustainable travel methods. The event is a competition, with participants entered in a prize draw – the more often you commute in an environmentally friendly way, the greater the chance of winning a prize. Join in on line at: www.jambustingjune.com

Keep it local: Keep it Keynsham
Bath and North East Somerset Council has joined forces with Keynsham Town Council to highlight the wealth of local facilities, organisations, activities and businesses on a new website at www.keynsham.co.uk