Be prepared
There will be an opportunity on Thursday October 8th to learn about how your business would be affected by a major incident such as a terrorist atrocity and what you can do to prepare for that contingency. Project Argus is bringing a Counter Terrorism Security Advisor and a panel of experts to a free event in St Michaels Church, Broad Street, Bath, running from 9.30 – 12.30. You can reserve a place online at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/argus or contact Kelly Brown on 01934 638019.

Bath Transportation Package
The proposal is now with the Secretary of State and a decision is expected within the next few weeks about whether they will approve the application or move towards a public enquiry.

Park and Ride
Services for late night shoppers will run until 9.30pm on Thursdays, starting on November 5th till December 17th. We will give full details of other additional services in next month’s e-zine.

Development Control Committee
The Executive Director attended a meeting to represent the Chamber’s support for the planning application to expand Bristol International Airport. However, a majority of the committee voted to oppose the application on climate change grounds.

Read all about it
The much anticipated studies into future retail needs and the requirements for business land are now available on the Bath and North East Somerset Council website. They provide some of the information used in the preparation of the Core Strategy, which will provide a vision for how the district will be developed over the next 20 years. A Chamber digest will be produced in due course but the full documents can be viewed at:   BANES Business Growth Employment Land Study    and    Planning Local Development Scheme/Retail Strategy

Guides
Three new leaflets can be downloaded from the Bath Tourism Plus website – Winter Highlights, Shopping Guide and Travel Guide: www.visitbath.co.uk

Improve Trade
Future Bath Plus and the Wilsher Group are running a workshop aimed at helping retailers turn browsers into paying customers. There are three slots on Tuesday October 13th at St Michael’s Without, just opposite Waitrose. Sessions start at 11.30, 12.30 and 1.30. To book a place contact City Centre Manager, Andrew Cooper: andrew.cooper@futurebathplus.co.uk

Lend a Hand
Volunteers are wanted to help paint street furniture in the City Centre. You can join in by turning up outside the Roman Baths this coming Sunday, October 11th at 9.00am.

Chef v Chef
The regional final of the cooking competition which the Chamber supports, is being held at the City of Bath College on Thursday October 22nd when contestants from Bath, Bristol and Cheltenham will battle it out over the hot plates. The awards ceremony takes place at 4.30pm. If you’d like to attend please contact info@bathchamber.co.uk

New Training
A state of the art construction facility, built to house a range of industry relevant diplomas for 14-19 year olds, has recently been launched at the City of Bath College, supported by £207,000 of funding from Bath and North East Somerset Council. Chamber Executive Member and College Principal, Matt Atkinson, said: “City of Bath College is the number one provider of apprenticeships in Bath and beyond and this new Diploma will enable more students to enter apprenticeships with a good knowledge of the sector and the skills they need to be a success.”

Better Bath Forum
The next meeting will debate the future of the Recreation Ground on Wednesday October 21st  at St Michael’s Church opposite Waitrose, starting at 6.30pm.

Events
Any members who would be interested in hosting a Chamber event should contact info@bathchamber.co.uk

Cut the Carbon
The Chamber is supporting efforts to help the environment and would like to draw the attention of members to the work of Forum for the Future who are running a scheme aimed at helping businesses to reduce their carbon footprint. More details from: www.forumforthefuture.org