Business Centre Launched!
The new Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce Business Centre was officially launched by Michael Ratcliffe, Chamber CEO (above left) and Martin Horwood, MP (above right) on 19th September. “We’re very pleased to provide the Business Centre," said Michael Ratcliffe, "which we think will be a great help to the business community in Cheltenham, particularly for small and medium-sized companies and organisations.”
MP Martin Horwood supported the Chamber's forward thinking initiatives in launching its Business Centre and Business Seminar Series, and commented on how the centre will make life easier for Cheltenham businesses, particularly its hot-desking and video-conferencing facilities.
The previous week, Mayor Wendy Flynn attended the Media Day, which garnered considerable coverage in the local press. Please see Reginald Lee's video report of the launch ceremony and the broadcast on Cotswold TV Video. (Photo and launch ceremony video: Reginald Lee).
If you ask any casual observer what gives Cheltenham a special buzz between April and October each year, the ready answer would be the Cheltenham Festivals. With its colourful banners adorning the town’s streets, the Festivals growth in importance from its origins in 1945 has been impressive. Selling over 215,000 tickets and providing more than 1,000 events each year, it has now become significant to the town's identity and economic well-being. Even in difficult conditions, it has grown attendance each year and attracted top headliners from across the globe in the fields of Music, Science, Jazz and Literature. Along with the Racecourse’s Gold Cup, the Festivals have become a jewel in the crown of Cheltenham's tourism industry and a landmark on the UK cultural calendar.
Contributing to its success since 2010, the Festivals’ Director of Marketing and Production, Chris Pearson, has been described as one of the smartest direct marketing people in the business. With a mixture of affable charm and a no-nonsense, eye on the bottom-line approach, Chris is the perfect blend of business and culture which the Festivals embodies.
We caught up with Chris to ask him about his career, the growing success of the Festivals and its importance to the Cheltenham. Read more.
Based in the heart of Regency Cheltenham, The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival is a vibrant mix of storytelling, fiction, poetry, and history; welcoming some of the biggest names from the worlds of politics, the arts and comedy as well as providing fun for all the family.
‘It’s not just about books: it’s about television, it’s about film, it’s about theatre, it’s about art, it’s about medicine, it’s just about everything’, Festival Speaker.
The Festival is a world-class event of true diversity, offering 10 very special days of challenge, inspiration, surprise and, of course, fun. It’s a vibrant mix of storytelling, fiction, poetry, and history; welcoming some of the biggest names from the worlds of politics, the arts and comedy as well as providing fun for all the family. Go online for the full exciting line up at www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature.
Tickets on sale now: book online or call 0844 880 8094.
Flying the Flag for Local Business
Update by Kevin Daws
The last few months continued to be extremely busy for the Chamber. We have:
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Launched our new Business Centre by Mayor Wendy Flynn and officially opened on 19th September with special guest, Martin Horwood MP
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Spoken out and lead the charge against the downgrading of the A&E Department at Cheltenham General Hospital (emergency ambulances are currently being diverted to Gloucester Royal Hospital between 8.00 pm and 8.00 am everyday).
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Engaged positively with the consultation on the Cheltenham Transport Plan and support it in principle subject to a number of our concerns being addressed.
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Increased our Twitter followers by 1000% over the past five months by raising our profile with local media outlets and engaging with our membership and business community. Thank you for your support and please keep following us on Twitter (@Cheltchamber) and Facebook!
In October, we will be:
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Launching a series of business seminars on Thursday 3rd October that kick-off with Geraldine McCullagh’s seminar, ‘Learn Ways to Get FREE Publicity from the Media, Get Exposure for Your Company and Attract More Customers!’
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Providing a 'Meet the Chamber' networking event (see Upcoming Events, opposite) Thursday, 10th October at 6pm, Manor by the Lake. (Bookings)
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Launching our new and exciting website which will increase the range of services we can offer to local businesses and Chamber members
If you would like to keep up to date with the Chamber and discuss promotional and sponsorship opportunities, contact us on tel. 01242 252626 or e-mail info@cheltenhamchamber.org.uk.
Successful Networking Event at BMW Mini Cotswold Group
A good time was had by all who attended the recent BMW & Mini Cotswold Group Dealership on Tewkesbury Road. Members enjoyed an evening of fine wine and refreshments and were introduced to BMW’s newest electric car, i3. Cotswold Group also presented to members their plans for a new showroom, which will be located near GCHQ and will potentially bring 100 jobs to the town. The highlight of the evening was the drawing of a BMW or Mini for the weekend. Pictured with Joanne Tyler (left), BMW Corporate Sales Manager, and Chamber Deputy CEO, Jon Leamon (right), the lucky winner Adrian Malpass, a leadership development consultant.
New Website Coming Soon!
by Kevin Daws
The Chamber shall soon be launching a new and improved website in October. The website will not only keep you better informed about the Chamber's activities but also provide you with a number of opportunities to promote your business. These include:
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Members' news
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Sponsorship
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Advertising
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Online membership
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Events
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And much more!
Stay tune for the October announcement! If you have interest in participating in any promotional communications and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jon Leamon.
Commercial Lawyer Takes New Role
at Willans
Willans LLP, a leading Gloucestershire law firm, is delighted to announce the appointment of Peter Raybould to its Legal 500–rated company commercial department. Peter, who is five years’ qualified, trained and worked in the corporate and commercial department at The Wilkes Partnership in Birmingham, after studying at The University of Sheffield. Read more.
Free Publicity for Your Company
Do you want some free publicity? If you're a fully-paid Chamber member and have a newsworthy story about a product launch, a significant customer acquisition or something special happening in your business, we can help you promote your news through the Chamber communications (e.g. newsletter, Twitter, Facebook). Just let us know! Take advantage of this key benefit of membership to build awareness of your company at no cost!. Send your submissions to the Chamber office today. (photo: Brian Chaplin, Eurovideo)
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Keep up to date on business in Cheltenham via Twitter (@CheltChamber), Facebook and
Chamber website.
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