The Godalming & District
Chamber of Commerce

March 2008 The Godalming & District Chamber of Commerce acts as a focal point for the businesses in Godalming and the surrounding district including Farncombe and the villages of Milford, Hascombe, Witley, Eashing, Hurtmore and Compton. The primary objectives of the Chamber include: promoting the trading and commercial interests of the business community throughout the town and district facilitating co-operation between its members and other traders in the area acting as a sounding board and contact point for businesses. The Chamber recently said farewell to Sarah Mayo, formerly the manager of Waterstones Booksellers in the High Street, Godalming. Sarah was elected as the President of the Chamber in April 2007 and represented the Chamber and the wider business community with considerable enthusiasm. She returned to her native New Zealand  and will be greatly missed. With the Chamber busy with various activities including the up and coming Italian Market on Sunday 13th April together with a series of open meetings for potential new members, the election of the next President will be addressed at the up and coming AGM.  In the meantime, Sarah McAllister, of Sans Frontier, Jewellers, in Crown Court, 44 High Street, Godalming, continues as Secretary and work continues on the next edition of the  GodalmingTown Map and Index which will be published shortly. There are a number of separate organisations in the town, representing different interests which are not necessarily related to the commercial sector, and it is the intention of the Chamber to represent those commercial interests and act as a focal point for representations to be made on behalf of its members so as to facilitate a vibrant commercial environment for them to trade in. The Chamber is actively involved in a number of initiatives to help promote business activity in Godalming and throughout the District including:- ·         Promoting the biannual French Market. ·         Promoting the New Italian Market in the town. ·         Making representations on behalf of members on the Town Health Check. ·        Marketing initiatives to promote the wide range of Independent Retailers in the town through the GodalmingTown Website, the GodalmingTown Booklet and a new Town Map highlighting the range of specialist Independent Retailers in the town centre. ·         Actively promoting town events together with clubs and societies throughout the district. The Chamber is also actively involved in wider town issues including:- ·         Organising displays in the High Street. ·         Making representations on behalf of members in respect of traffic management in the High Street and the commercial area, and making representations with regard to parking issues in the High Street and adjoining roads, providing information in respect of, and making representations to the relevant authorities regarding, developments in the town which may impact upon commercial activities. ·        Acting as a discussion forum in respect of rental levels for commercial premises, and the level of rates for commercial premises. It is by community involvement with the Chamber that we can all contribute to creating a vibrant commercial environment in the town centre and ensure that this continues. The Chamber will shortly be hosting a second meeting in conjunction with Surrey Business Link, addressing current issues and exploring ways to promote the business community for the wider benefit of the town and district. For more information please contact: Contact: Sarah McAllister (Secretary) C/O Sans Frontiers, Jewellers Crown Court, 44 High Street Godalming GU7 1DY Tel: 01483 418381 Email: Godalming and District Chamber of Commerce