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Issue 46, June 2009
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Hello
Alison,
Bath Chamber news, information and events
for GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce members.
Changes at the Top
New
leaders have been announced for both the Bath Chamber of
Commerce and for the Initiative in B&NES. Frank
Collins was elected President at the Chamber’s AGM after
Theresa McDermott stood down after a four year stint.
Brigid Musselwhite, the Deputy Chief Executive of the
Royal United Hospital will be his deputy. Meanwhile,
Jonathan O’ Shea, Chief Executive of St John’s Hospital,
has become Chairman of the Initiative in succession to
Colin Skellett, from Wessex Water, who will remain as
Chair of Future Bath Plus. Ian Bell has been appointed
as Executive Director for both the Chamber, Initiative
in B&NES and Future Bath Plus.
New role for Tim
Chamber Executive member, Tim Lerwill,
stood down at the AGM, following his appointment as
Deputy President of the West of England Society of
Chartered Accountants prior to becoming President in
2010. He will continue as a member of the Chamber
Ambassadors Committee.
Economic
Barometer
Bath is looking forward to a
successful summer tourist season, following being named
by the prestigious Lonely Planet Great Britain Guide
Book as the best place to visit outside London. Visitor
numbers to the Roman Baths were up 3% for the first four
months of 2009. Meanwhile the Bath Tourist information
Centre saw a 20% increase in the number of visitors over
the Easter weekend, compared to the Easter weekend in
2008. Bath Literature Festival in March this year saw an
unprecedented 39% increase over 2008 figures in gross
ticket sales and an overall increase in attendance of
29%. Figures produced by Future Bath Plus reveal that
over the last couple of months, average sales in the
major stores are close to the levels of a year ago.
Stand and
Deliver
The Chamber and the Future Bath Plus
City Centre Management Partnership have carried out a
survey to gather information about numbers and timings
of goods deliveries. It revealed that 2,655 drops are
made in a typical week to the businesses who provided
information, 90% of which are on-street and almost two
thirds come into the city before 1.00pm. The statistics
will be useful when debates are held into the possible
imposition of time restrictions on deliveries. Any views
on the issue to info@bathchamber.co.uk
Parking
The Chamber is
involved in consultations about Council options about
future charging for car parking. We would very much
appreciate hearing members’ views on the issue. For
example, would you support a higher charge for short
stay parking to subsidise longer stay visitors, would
you support a consistent level of increase or should
short stay charges be low? Views to info@bathchamber.co.uk
Bath Transport
Package
Bath and North East Somerset
Council’s Development Control Committee has supported
three of the four planning applications related to the
Bath Transportation Package. Applications for expansion
of Odd Down Park and Ride and expansion of Lansdown Park
and Ride have been approved unanimously. The Committee
were minded to approve the application for the A4
Eastern Bath Park and Ride and in line with planning
officer recommendation, it was agreed that it be
referred to the Secretary of State. The proposed A4
Eastern Park and Ride site planning application is being
referred to the Secretary of State because it is a
departure from the Council’s Local Plan. The application
for expansion of Newbridge Park and Ride and the Bus
Rapid Transit Route has been deferred for further
information on the benefits and design of the
scheme.
New
Members
Welcome to Caroline Talbott from
Hallatrow who offers consultancy and coaching; Property
Consultants, Carter Jonas; Charles Oliver Ltd of Chew
Magna, International property and UK lettings and
management, and Circle Bath, who will be running a
hospital at Farleigh Hungerford.
Broad Quay Road
Closure
Work is going on to repair a broken
water main in Broad Quay close to its junction with
Dorchester Street. Work started on May 28th and it is
due to be completed by June 7th. West bound traffic will
be diverted from Dorchester Street as vehicles will be
unable to turn into Broad Quay, but private cars will be
allowed to again travel east bound and traffic signal
timings in the affected areas of the city centre have
been changed to help manage the change of traffic flows
caused by the closure.
Better Bath Forum
The
next meeting takes place on June 10th when the issue for
debate will be: Night life in Bath – how can we make it
better? Matt Atkinson, Principal of the City of Bath
College, and a Member of the Bath Chamber Executive will
chair the discussion. Venue: Komedia, 22-23 Westgate
Street, starting at 6.30pm. More information on the
Forum website, www.betterbath.org.uk,
or from 01225 427497.
Can you help?
The
Chamber has been asked to help provide financial support
for a potential Olympic swimmer who is in need of a
sponsor. Meanwhile the swimming club which produced this
and other talented performers is trying to raise £40,000
to keep it afloat. If you are interested in learning
more please e-mail info@bathchamber.co.uk
Race for Life
Part of The Avenue will be closed
temporarily to vehicles from its junction with Norwood
Avenue to its junction with Limekiln Lane between 9.00am
and 5.00pm on June 7th for the running of the Race for
Life, the 5km
run/walk.
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