GWE Business West

Hello Alison,

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

Budget and local economy
A number of points, which came up during the recent joint meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and Initiative for B&NES, have been put to Councillor Malcolm Hanney, Executive Member for Resources. All the questions and his answers will appear in full in the Bath Chamber of Commerce section of the GWE Business West website.

Car parking
The Council has announced it will freeze car park charges for the next three months to allow consultations with the business community and residents. The Chamber will be fully involved in that process. If you have a view you would like expressed, send it to info@bathchamber.co.uk Meanwhile the Podium is planning to encourage people to visit Bath on Sundays by offering half price car parking.

Park and Ride
The Chamber will continue to lobby for the Park and Ride facilities to be opened on Sundays, which has become, for many retailers, the second busiest day of the week. The Council has agreed to consider the cost and planning implications.

Chamber Barometer
Latest information indicates that the Christmas period was reasonably successful for retailers. There are early indications that bookings for self catering accommodation are up, which could bode well for the local tourist offering.

Bath Branding
Work is going on to promote the city as a venue for tourism and business. The Council will be assisting that process with a one-off budget provision of £50,000. Decisions about how the money is spent will be made after discussions with Future Bath Plus.

Bath Press
St James Investments, who last year purchased the Bath Press site on the Lower Bristol Road, are in the process of carrying out a series of technical and professional studies as well as a programme of public consultation before coming to a decision about the future use of the land. Workshops are taking place on Tuesday February 10th at Oldfield Park Infant School, Dorset Close between 6.30 – 8.30pm concentrating on heritage and design, Wednesday February 11th at Hedley Hall, Denmark Road between 9.30am – 11.30am concentrating on heritage and design, 12 – 2pm on transport (traffic), 3 – 5pm transport (walking and cycling), Wednesday 11th February – Oldfield Park Infant School, 6.30-8.30pm, working with our neighbours, Thursday 12th February – Hedley Hall, 9.30am – 11.30am: transport (walking and cycling), 12 – 2pm: heritage and design, 3 – 5pm: working with our neighbours, Thursday 12th February – Oldfield Park Infant School, 6.30 - 8.30pm, transport (traffic).

Waste
The West of England Partnership is producing a joint strategy on waste which will involve all four of the former Avon local authorities, including Bath and North East Somerset. A Consultation process is going on until March 12th which can be accessed at www.westofengland.org/waste

Darwin
A number of interesting publications have been produced to mark the Darwin 150th anniversary, including copies of The Lost World, the subject of this year’s Great Reading Adventure. More information from info@bathchamber.co.uk

New plans for city centre
Broad support from the business community has been given to ambitious plans which would vastly improve the centre of Bath. Comments on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce were made at a recent meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel, held to consider the Public Realm and Movement Strategy. A questionnaire has been prepared, which is available on the Council website at www.bathnes.gov.uk Replies are due back by February 20th.

Challenges for 2009
During the last 12 months the Chamber of Commerce has forged closer links with the Initiative, which has seen the formation of Future Bath Plus, the crucial public/private partnership which is already delivering improvements. We have continued to encourage the Council to consider “best value” in its widest definition when setting rental levels for small, independent shopkeepers. Chamber networking events are ever more popular, allowing people an opportunity to cement existing business relationships and make new contacts. Last year we extended that approach by being a major sponsor of the first Bath Business Show which attracted more than 600 visitors and provided a brilliant showcase for the companies operating in this area. Membership of the Executive has been widened, we have produced a regular economic barometer and worked effectively with the local authority to produce changes. In 2009 the Chamber will continue to work on a variety of fronts to minimise the effects of the current economic downturn.

Deliveries
The Chamber has produced a questionnaire to gather information which will help with the creation of a policy to help deal with the problems caused by delivery vehicles in the City centre. Copies will be widely circulated. If you would like a questionnaire, contact info@bathchamber.co.uk

New members
GWE Business Chambers of Commerce welcomes
- Colston and Colston, Queen Square, Bath: chartered surveyors
- www.bathbusinessweb.co.uk, Ferndale Road, Bath: online directories, web design
- Sales and Marketing Wealth Ltd, Avonfield Ave, Bradford On Avon: internet marketing.

Business Forum Lunch
March 27th at the Hilton Hotel featuring guest speaker, Greg Ingham on the progress being made by Creative Bath.
BOOK NOW

Bath Literature Festival
Involving more than 100 events, the festival takes place between February 28th and March 8th for stimulating debate, lively conversation and fascinating insights from leading authors, scientists and poets. www.visitbath.co.uk/bathliteraturefestival

Bath Half Marathon
Various road closures will be in force on March 14th and 15th for the annual event. Full details are available at Trimbridge House, Trim Street. Enquiries to 01225 395386.