The Sherborne Chamber of Trade and Commerce is a forum of positive businesses who are keen to promote and enhance Sherborne as a thriving commercial town.
MemberInformation.pdf
Mission Statement
The mission of The Chamber is to promote and enhance Sherborne and the neighbouring places as a thriving commercial community.
Objectives
The objectives of the Chamber are:
a. To promote and encourage the development of trade, commerce, and manufacture within Sherborne and such neighbouring places as the Committee may from time to time determine.
b. To ensure, within the area of the Chamber's activities, the highest standards of fair and honest trading on the part of those engaged in business, as hereinafter defined, and the promotion between them and members of the public of mutual confidence and understanding.
c. To promote a sound relationship between those engaged in business and their employees on the basis of mutual understanding and respect.
d. To generally protect the lawful interests of the members and represent to Parliament, any Government Department, County, Borough or other local Authority the interests and views of and the hardships or disadvantages suffered or expected by the members or any group of members or any individual member in relation to any matter.
e. In relation to the above objectives, to co-operate with any local or national organisation or association in such a manner as the Chamber in general meeting or Committee shall decide.
f. To do all such lawful things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives.
g. The Chamber may be affiliated to the National Chamber of Trade and shall become a component unit of the appropriate Area Council of that Chamber. The Chamber may also be affiliated or associated with such other associations as after full consideration, the Chamber may feel fit.
For a copy of the Chamber Constitution, click here.
The Sherborne Chamber of Trade and Commerce has a membership of about one hundred and exists to promote the businesses of Sherborne and of the town in general. All businesses are encouraged to join and thereby have a voice in the activities, promotions and success of Sherborne as a town and of their business.
The Chamber holds monthly meetings that are open to all. These meetings are held in various venues around the town - The Eastbury Hotel, Town Mill Barkery, Kafe Fontana, The White Hart and Castle Gardens. Details are posted on the website and in the newsletter. At these meetings suggestions for all sorts of promotions involving the town are discussed and implemented. As with many towns the size of Sherborne it is vital that the public is attracted to visit the town and to support our many individual businesses.
We often have a presentation from an external speaker or a member on a topic of interest often dealing with a business issue or the promotion of Sherborne.
The following is a list of some of the activities undertaken by the Chamber on behalf of its members:
Newsletter - Distributed to over 400 business people in the area every month. This popular communication keeps people in touch with local events and activities of the Chamber. Members contribute to the newsletter to promote events and deals.
Marketing and Promotion – The marketing of Sherborne as a unique town with a large number of individual and specialist shops.
Christmas Promotion – A group of members work together to put on a Festive Shopping Event to attract people to Sherborne businesses during the festive season.
Christmas Decorations – The Chamber is responsible for the co-ordinating of Christmas decorations including Christmas trees within the town.
Events in the Town - We have organised a very successful French Market in the Sherborne, and we are planning future events. We are involved in the annual and special events, such as the 150 year Railway Celebration and other events that take place in the town.
Sherborne Town Website - www.sherbornetown.co.uk was set up by Sherborne 2000 with support from the Chamber and is an excellent way to promote the town. All businesses should be linked to it.
Liaison with External Bodies – The Chamber is involved on an ongoing basis in discussions with the West Dorset District Council and the Sherborne Town Council over matters ranging from town parking rates, signage in the town and planning matters that involve the development of Sherborne. We are associated to Dorset Business and have good working relationships with the local press and other useful organisations.
This list may give you an idea of the activities undertaken by the Chamber but it no way indicates the hours of work and behind-the-scene activity that is undertaken by a group of people who are dedicated to the success of Sherborne. It is vital that all businesses in Sherborne participate and have a voice in the running of a very special town. It is your town where you have chosen to do business so please join the Chamber and help to make the town a success.
If you are a new business to Sherborne or the surrounding area and you would like an instant introduction to other positive business people in the area we would be very pleased to welcome you.
For more information please contact Cordelia McFarlane on 07594 805013 or by e-mail at cordelia@sherbornechamber.org.uk Cordelia is available for Chamber business Mondays and Tuesdays 9am - 1pm. She also visits local businesses on the last Tuesday of each month.