Hello Sandy,

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

Transport planning
Members will have a chance to discuss the West of England Joint Transport Plan which is currently being prepared. All the documents can be viewed at www.travelplus.org.uk. A member of the B&NES Council Transport Planning Department will attend a special joint Chamber committee meeting on September 1st. Anyone wishing to attend should contact info@bathchamber.co.uk

MP’s Question Time
Jacob Rees-Mogg and Don Foster will be questioned by a group of members representing a wide range of interests on September 3rd. A full report will be made available thereafter.

Local Enterprise Partnerships
The Government has announced it intends to abolish Regional Development Agencies and replace them with LEP’s. The Chamber is fully engaged in discussions about how such an organisation would work in the West of England.

Tourism holding up
Recent figures show that hotel room occupancy in June reached 86.7% compared with 81.9% in 2009. Average room rates were £92.37, up from £85.74 in 2009.

Business Improvement District
Work is still going on with the aim of creating a BID in Bath City Centre. More information has been produced and the intention remains to hold the ballot during October.

Bath Press Site
A planning application has been submitted to create a new Tesco, offices, workshops and some housing. We are keen to hear members’ views on it since the Chamber will want to comment in due course.

Council cuts
Bath and North East Somerset Council have given details about the cuts they will have to make in this financial year. A total of £1.8 million has been cut from Government revenue grants to support Council services in 2010/11 and a similar amount of Government funding has been cut from the Council’s Capital programme. It is anticipated that something like 300 jobs are likely to be lost over the next three or four years.

Reduce your footprint
A Low Carbon Future Day is being held on September 10th in the Guildhall from 9.15am to 4.00pm.  For more details and to book a place contact sara_grimes@bathnes.gov.uk.


Forthcoming Events in Bath

01/09
Bath Mixer at Barcelo Combe Grove Hotel, BBQ

21/09
Speed Networking

05/10
Bath Mixer at Bath City Football Club

Click here to view full events calendar and to book online

TELL US YOUR IDEAS
The last mixer held at Lansdown Golf Club was a great success. We are always delighted to hear from members with ideas for events or making suggestions about venues. If you would like to host a mixer please get in touch at info@bathchamber.co.uk.