The next meeting of Weston and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce will take place on Wednesday 19 October at the Ebdon Arms, Lilac Way, Wick St Lawrence, at 6.45pm for a 7pm start.

There will be a number of speakers at the meeting, focusing on the spatial development of the Weston area and its potential for economic growth. The speakers lined up so far, and their subjects, are:

Karuna Tharmanathar, Assistant Director of Development & Environment, North Somerset Council: The roadmap for economic development in North Somerset.

Planning Officer, North Somerset Council: The Draft National Planning Framework Consultation and its potential effect on economic growth in our area.

Simon Price, Alder King on behalf of Persimmon: Outline of their proposed developments in North Somerset and northern Somerset

Phillip Adams, Economic Development Officer, Sedgemoor District Council: Sedgemoor District Council’s Draft Master Plan; and working with EDF (Hinkley “C”)

Following a short presentation from each speaker, there will be an opportunity for general questions and answers.

Gail Parsons, President of Weston and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce said: “We are delighted to have such a wide variety of speakers at the next meeting, addressing what is a very important topic for business in the Weston area.”

The meeting is open both to members and non-members.

For more information, please contact Morwenna Tudor, Weston Chamber PR, on 01934 519450.

Please visit the Weston and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce website at www.westonchamber.co.uk

Local business people are being offered the opportunity to make new contacts at the next Weston and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce meeting.

As well as organising events with speakers, the chamber also organises networking events to give like-minded business people the chance to make new contacts and socialise with chamber members.

The August meeting will be one of these networking events and takes place on Wednesday 17 August at the Old Colonial on Weston’s seafront, starting at 7.30pm.

The chamber’s president, Gail Parsons, said: “There is no agenda for this meeting. Instead, it is a great opportunity to network and chat with like-minded business people, in the lovely setting of Weston’s seafront. We look forward to seeing familiar faces and welcoming new people along.”

Weston and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce’s new president adressed members and visitors at a recent meeting.

More than 20 people attended the meeting at the Royal Hotel to see Gail Parsons, who is Managing Director of Vanguard Surveillance and Security, outline her vision for the chamber.

Gail’s plans include continuing to represent member’s interests by working closely with North Somerset Council as well as increasing networking opportunities amongst businesses in the town.

Gail comments: “We have already been successful in supporting North Somerset Council’s bid for superfast broadband and are currently gathering support among our members for the Weston Package, which is a bid for funding towards transport improvements to reduce congestion and upgrade transport links.”

“I also want to continue to organise events relevant to our businesses, the aim of which is to ensure members are kept up-to-date with current trends and provide opportunities for them to question the experts. I will continue to promote Weston Chamber members in an attempt to create business opportunities by raising our profile even further, and being on the frontline ready for new developments and growth within Weston.”

Andrew Scott, who is on Weston and District Chamber’s Executive Committee felt strong business relationships were built upon at the meeting: “It was great to see our members enjoying themselves and having discussions with other businesses, many of which continued after the meeting finished.”