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. We meet regularly both formally and informally.
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 Way Forward meetings that are open to all members about once a month. These meetings are generally held at the Eastbury Hotel and 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 also hold three or four “open meetings” per year which are of a more informal nature and at which we have a variety of speakers. The topics are of interest to all members and deal with promoting Sherborne.
The following is a list of some of the activities undertaken by the Chamber on behalf of its members:
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 works 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 tress within the town.
Summer Town Decorations – Likewise the Chamber co-ordinates the flower decorations for the town in the summer.
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 Councils – 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.
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 Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am - 1pm. She also visits local businesses on the last Thursday of each month.