If you run your own business you may or may not be aware of the Chamber of Commerce, a voluntary organisation with branches around the country which is run by its members, for its members. Chambers of Commerce provide a range of benefits for their members, such as support and networking to help your business; monthly meetings with guest speakers; discounts on members’ products and services; and a chance for you to help shape your local area. Membership is drawn from every level of business and includes sole traders, small businesses and retailers as well as local and community groups. Whatever your business type, size, industry or affiliation, the Chamber welcomes you to join.

There are two very friendly and active Chambers in our area, covering Wantage & District and Faringdon & District, and they are both open to new members and keen to let you know what they are all about. They are both members of the Oxfordshire Town Chamber Network (www.otcn.co.uk) which  enables them to engage with other Chambers and provide a wider forum for their members.

Current interests for the Wantage & District Chamber of Commerce are the Eco Bag, which we launched in Wantage at the Dickensian Evening in December. We’re currently looking at ways to involve the local community in carrying on the scheme.

 Moving forward our priority is the healthcheck: the Joint Economic Forum (which we are part of) have co-ordinated a healthcheck on the vitality of the town from which a SWOT analysis has been drawn up with an action plan to make Wantage and Grove better places to live, work and trade.  The Chamber, together with other community and business groups, will play an important part in shaping the action plan.

We’re involved in the town centre and market place redevelopment plans (of which there are a few options), which will get going again soon. We’re also concerned with helping to shape the future of the town as we go through a major change following the Limborough Road development, and will be heavily involved in promoting  the  French Markets in the market place.

We want the Chamber to grow into a larger, forward thinking group with a strong voice in local business. What we need is new blood and positive thinkers. We welcome all business people to come along to a meeting, find out what we’re about and join us. We meet on the second Tuesday of every month at The Bear Hotel and look forward to seeing you soon.

For more details please contact the Chair of the Chamber, Matthew Chapman, on 01235 770084 or matthew@chapmanworth.co.uk

Instituted in 1922, Faringdon & District Chamber of Commerce represents, promotes and supports the whole spectrum of business; no matter how big, or how small; no matter if established, or just starting out, and no matter what type, be it manufacturer, salesman, tradesman, professional, commercial or retail.

We provide a monthly forum where members and visitors can meet and discuss business issues. We organise speakers at all of our meetings and networking opportunities such as the monthly Faringdon Business Lunch and the annual Black Tie Ball at Christmas time.

 We are actively supporting the Faringdon Area Project in their ambition to be one of the first towns to successfully re-visit the Healthcheck. New projects are being developed and the Chamber of Commerce are keen to be involved in the new initiatives.

 The Chamber of Commerce organise Christmas Trees for the businesses in the Market Place and are building links with the Faringdon Retail Group and fully support their Festive Faringdon and summer Party in the Park that raises funds to enhance the appearance of the town, from Christmas lights to planting on roundabouts. We have also been instrumental in publishing the new, glossy Town Guide and we are working closely with other local Chambers in Abingdon and Wantage to develop a website to promote tourism throughout the Vale of the White Horse.

 If you would like further information please contact Jane Haynes – Secretary on 08456 580 510 or jane.haynes@bordengate.com