Benefits of Membership
The Sherborne Chamber of Trade and Commerce has a membership of over 120 local businesses and exists to promote both them as well as Sherborne in general. As a modern market town Sherborne, thrives on a mixture of local, regional and national trade.
Sherborne is one of the most picturesque towns in the South West and has a steady influx of visitors, thanks to the schools and various events.
Benefits to Sherborne
The Chamber of Trade contributes to the general ambience of the town including organising about 100 summer and winter hanging baskets, troughs and tubs which enhance the town's beauty.
We organise illuminated Christmas trees in the town centre and organise a festive event to raise money for charity annually.
In May this year the Chamber organised for a French Market to visit Sherborne. This was a very successful event, enjoyed by a great many residents and visitors to the town.
The Chamber supports the Sherborne in Bloom competition.
This year we conducted a Sherborne Business Survey which identified that members would like more networking activities and led to super barbeque to which all interested parties in the town and beyond were invited.
We have been involved with a number of local groups and forums to improve life in Sherborne and have good links and recent projects with local schools.
The Chamber represents local businesses in the Remembrance Day service and Cheap Street Church Christmas Tree Festival.
Benefits to Members
As well as playing your part in maintaining a thriving town, membership gives your business a voice on local issues.
The Chamber is a valuable forum, and provides representation for businesses in the town on many issues, such as car parking rates and the future development of Sherborne.
We are keen to promote the town and local businesses wherever possible. For example, the Western Gazette newspaper has a monthly ‘Chamber Page’ giving
members an opportunity to raise local awareness for their latest news and events.
We help produce the Sherborne Shopping Guide which has entries for most of the local businesses, along with a useful map, and is provided free of charge to visitors. We are planning to be involved in the production of a new edition in 2010 to distribute to local residents, businesses and more widely across the region thanks to the Tourist Information Centre.
We hold monthly Working Group Meetings, and 4 Open Meetings a year, where valuable contacts are made.
We produce a monthly newsletter, distributed to over 400 interested parties, providing an essential communication tool. As a new member we offer that you feature your business as an introduction to members. We invite members to use the newsletter to publicise any successes or promotions their business may run.
We maintain the Chamber of Trade and Commerce section of www.sherbornetown.com. Members may be entitled to special rates on entries on the main section of this website.
Sherborne Chamber of Trade is affiliated to Dorset Business and is represented on various local forums. We have a good relationship with Sherborne Town Council, WDDC, the local press and many contacts regionally.
Membership of the Chamber costs only £41.12 (including VAT) per year, which represents fantastic value for money. Membership renewals are due in January, and should you wish to join during the year, a pro-rated fee will apply from after June.
The Chamber has a Co-ordinator and Development Manager, who is the first point of contact for anyone interested in Chamber activities. Cordelia McFarlane is available for Chamber business Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am - 1pm. She also visits local businesses on the last Thursday of each month. Feel free to
contact her on telephone number 07594 805013 or by email at mailto:cordelia@sherbornechamber.org.uk
If you would like to join Sherborne Chamber of Trade and Commerce, please complete the following form and send it to Sally Westlotorn
Membership Application Form