Chambers handed £10,000 to expand (From Salisbury Journal)

Chambers handed £10,000 to expand

10:14am Thursday 19th January 2012 in Business

THE chambers of Wilton and Tidworth are celebrating after receiving £10,000 each to help them promote their activities and increase membership.

The European funding, which has come through the Plain Action programme with the support of Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce, will enable the two bodies to appoint a membership development administrator for 12 hours a week for a year.

Godfrey Tilney, company secretary and director of Tidworth and District Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are delighted, as a lot of work has gone into this.

“We want someone with a strong marketing and sales background and a good knowledge of IT. After one year, it has to be self-financing, so we have to generate an income for the chamber. The role involves raising awareness of the chamber and keeping in contact with our membership, and planning events and meetings with good speakers.

“This will be a challenge as we are a rural area, but we are up for the challenge.”

David Parker, chairman of Wilton & District Business Chamber, said: “The business manager will be the local point of contact for businesses in our area.

“It will enable us to strengthen links locally so that networking can be more viable, especially with the new Local Enterprise Partnerships being set up.

“Wilton has been going through a traumatic time with empty shops and businesses changing hands.

“Our objective is to work with Wilton Town Council to increase footfall for these local businesses. And we will be talking to members about projects such as the eco park development (on the former Land Command site) and re-opening a train station next to the park and ride site.”

Anyone interested in applying for the posts, which are offered on a self-employed basis, should contact Stefan Barbaruk at Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce by emailing Stefan@wessexchambers.org.uk.