Minutes of Meeting

Hungerford Chamber of Commerce

Thursday, 6^th October 2005

At Littlecote House

Present: Nick Furr, Jackie Penny, Anne Brown, Wendy Spring, Ian Thompson, Esther Fairfax, Paddy Coppinger, Tyrrell Bossom, Rachel Furr, Brian Rogers, George Styles, Adrian Gilmoor, Stuart Hofgartner, Lynsey Bonner, Ros Comins, Deborah Wood, Richard Broomhead

Chair’s Opening Remarks

Welcome from Nick Furr and his thanks to all who attended. 18 Apologies received in total.

There has been a good response to the ‘Discover Hungerford’ leaflets which have been available at hotels & businesses. The leaflets have been very popular, with copies handed out at both the Royal County of Berkshire Show and at various businesses in the town. There has already been a good response. This has been a pilot project and an extended version is already in draft: any business wishing to be included should contact Anne Brown of African Trackwoods or the chairman as soon as possible. Tyrrell Bossom reported three new customers on one day, each carrying a flyer obtained from another shop

The Chamber Web-site has also been working well. One new non-retail member reported a new client introduced by the Hungerford web site.

BRIEF Tour of Facilities at Littlecote House

Deborah Wood took those attending the meeting on an entertaining tour of Littlecote House and the introduced the facilities they have to offer. Deborah highlighted the many events held at Littlecote from weddings to murder mystery weekends whilst explaining its ‘haunted’ history.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the chamber has doubled since May to 145 members; the committee is aiming at a target membership of 200.

Discussion was initiated about what the Chamber can do for the non-retail business. It was noted that there may be a need for networking within the town to exchange opportunities and experiences for both retail and non-retail members.

The chairman requested volunteers to arrange networking events, and meeting opportunities such as business breakfasts and lunches. It was agreed that the venues for networking events could be at the premises of particular businesses who might welcome the opportunity to show their wares. Both members and non-members could be approached to host such events, which would give the opportunity attract new members.

CHAMBER WEBSITE

The web-site has been popular and is beginning to work well. Shown a presentation of the web-site and all it offers.

Members can request to have adverts displayed - George Styles volunteered to assist anyone who wants to advertise on the website.

It was discussed that any events being held in the town and special offer details need to be sent to the web-master to display on the site. It was also agreed that job vacancies could be advertised on the site.

Inter-linking of sites was suggested, to be arranged by web-master.

Next edition is due to be published in November. If anyone would like to be profiled in the next edition they need to let the chairman know as soon as possible.

The Post Office is keen to advertise its bulk delivery services which might appeal to some members and have agreed to deliver the Chamber’s Newsletters to businesses in the town without charge.

The Chamber’s mailing list is being improved and updated.

HIDDEN BRITAIN

Hidden Britain works to raise the profile of towns like Hungerford. A link to our own is to be placed onto their web-site. Next meeting set for 13th October to discuss evolving action plan.

VICTORIAN EXTRAVAGANZA

Both the Hungerford Post-Office and Newbury Building Society were thanked for involvement in recent mailing of the Extravaganza Sponsorship request letters. 450 letters have been sent out requesting financial support and £2000 has already been received. Concern was raised about the cost of entertainment, but there are no restrictions at this stage (separate meeting of Extravaganza committee commenced after this agenda item)

The Three Swans have agreed to provide the breakfast this year in the morning as their Sponsorship and the Plume will be providing food for key helpers in the evening.

It was requested that all retailers in the town dress in Victorian Costume on the night and also that more walkers in costume take part in the parade.

It was also requested that equipment which expels fumes, be kept away from doorways.

Rachel Furr asked the E.committee to bring attractions into Bridge Street. Comment was returned that it had not worked in the past and that stall holders would not want to be based in Bridge Street because of its being outside the envelope of activity. It was suggested that a more positive approach be taken this year and Bridge Street vendors will get together to discuss ways of over-coming this problem.

TOWN MAP

Town map artwork was shown and various cross-referencing options discussed. It was agreed that referencing by numbers on the map to a legend on the side would be the best option. Colour coding of different types of businesses will be considered.

The Artwork is now registered as copyright of Hungerford Chamber of Commerce. Discussion ensued as to whether non members should be included on the map: the chairman was determined that only those who contributed to the work of the Chamber by virtue of their membership should enjoy whatever advantage might accrue from its activities. It is intended to mount the new map under the bridge for the Victorian Extravaganza evening. The chairman invited volunteers to join him to finalise the overall presentation.

(post meeting note: none are so far forthcoming)

The cost of amending the map subsequently for new members is likely to be of the order of £100.00 per member though this may be shared by a number of “new arrivals” if the updating is done on a periodic ( say 12-month) basis.

Christmas Lights

Cllr Rod Desmeules introduced plans and costings for this year’s Christmas Lights. All agreed that last years lights were excellent and that the same should be done this year. Rod requested help from all businesses to defray costs.

Costs for 2005 are as follows:

Total for a tree, its lights, installation & removal £78.00

For those businesses who participated in 2004 the cost will be £48.00 because the basic installation work was completed in 2004

Date of next meeting: 3^rd November 2005

Venue: to be advised