Looking Forward to 2013!
Dear Chamber Members,
As we are now into the New Year and I look back over the previous 12 months it is clear that for the majority of members business has been challenging. Of course there are some members who have found business particularly good and it is very much the Chamber’s wish to make this the norm for all our members as quickly as possible.
To this end we have put forward the Chamber’s views on a number of issues during the last year, both in respect of short-term needs: economic representation, town parking, the town centre’s pedestrianisation, the North Place development and longer-term needs, the county’s joint core strategy, waste core strategy, redevelopment of Lansdown station, and of course, the problem bridge at Junction 10 on the M5, to mention a few examples.
Our regular networking evenings, business breakfasts and business advice clinics have all been well supported, allowing members to make greater contact with each other and to hopefully foster new long-term relationships. Certainly the monthly newsletters have been well received and the occasional compliment much appreciated!
Once again the Chamber’s Cheltenham Cricket Festival day proved to be an excellent occasion allowing members to network at a variety of levels. Why not make a point of coming during 2013? I can promise it will be worthwhile.
Don’t forget to keep sharing with us stories of your business achievements, testimonials and offers on products or services. We are always pleased to include this information in the monthly newsletter whenever possible; just email Pauline at info@cheltenhamchamber.org.uk.
On behalf of your Executive Committee may I take this opportunity of wishing you much success during the forthcoming year and look forward to working with you in whatever ways may be of benefit to your business and the town.
Yours sincerely
Michael Ratcliffe
Chief Executive
(pictured above; photo by Brian Chaplin, EuroVideo)
Member Events
Social Media Workshop
The Chamber is pleased to provide a Social Media Workshop on Monday, 28th January, 2pm - 5pm, at The Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham. Hosting the event will be Jonathan Pollinger, Intranet Futures (check out Jonathan's blog), and Dan Harris, HymnSheet Ltd. and Chamber Head of Marketing.
There are plenty of valuable takeaways to help your company's social media presence. Here is what you'll gain from this half day session:
* Understanding of how social media can help your business
* Business-to-Business Do's and Don'ts
* Which social network you should use and why
* How to set up a Facebook Page and Twitter profile 
* How to use social networks to obtain leads
* How to measure and improve your results
Tickets are £49 members, £89 non-members, and seating is limited. To book, contact info@cheltenhamchamber.org.uk or phone 01242 252 626.
Chamber and Member News
Opinion: Retail will have to move with times
In an article for online publication Southwest Business, John Forward, Manager of The Regent Arcade, believes the queues to get into the town centre sales prove that people still love to shop and bag a bargain. Read more.
APCOA chosen for on-street parking in Gloucestershire
"The County Council has selected APCOA Parking UK Ltd to operate on-street parking throughout Gloucestershire - leading to expected savings of £400,000 a year. Read more.
The Youth Contract - Wage Incentives for Employers
As part of the Youth Contract the Government have now extended access to wage incentives for employers who employ a young person who has been looking for work for 26 weeks or more. At this time, when businesses are under pressure, every incentive can help, and the Cheltenham Chamber wants to make sure that members are aware of their existence and how they can make full use of them.
For further information, please contact Catriona Murray (01242 845065) and Katie McLeod (01242 845068), Employer Advisors, Jobcentre Plus, Cheltenham, 7 North Street, Cheltenham, GL50 4DJ; www.dwp.gov.uk.
Total Ltd. Awarded O2 Wholesale Partner of the Year 2012
The Chamber would like to congratulate member Total Ltd. on winning O2 Wholesale Partner of the Year at a ceremony at The Grove Hotel, Hertfordshire on the 29 November. Stuart Baikie, Managing Director at Total, said: “ I am absolutely delighted to collect this award on behalf of Total. This year’s O2 partner conference and awards evening showcased the outstanding partners operating within the channel. The fact that Total has been named O2 Wholesale Partner of the Year is an absolute honour and great reflection of the hard work and commitment of all the team here.” Read more.
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