Business growth is key say traders at chamberAGM

BOROUGH business chiefs took a look back at a successful year during the annual general meeting of the Hinckley Chamber of Trade.

There was also talk of expanding membership and steering decision making as the group seek to support and protect enterprise, which will in turn boost the economy.

Held at the Atkins Building in Lower Bond Street Hinckley and featuring a networking session afterwards the AGM attracted chamber members old and new.

Incumbent president, Rosemary Wright was re-installed along with fellow committee members as well as the addition of three new faces.

Respected committee member Jim Darlaston stepped down but will continue as an advisor for the chamber.

Rosemary said: “I am honoured by the confidence the business community has in re-electing me to lead the chamber of trade forward with growth and expansion for another year.

“I am immensely pleased to have all of my committee returned exactly as it was, because it has been such a successful team and I am thrilled to welcome on board three additional well-known business people of outstanding ability to join us.

“All of the members of the committee and officers are business people of tremendous ability and I am excited to be working with such a committed team for the well-being of businesses, the town and borough.”

The new committee members are Linda Flower, director of the Art Cafe, Upper Castle Street, Teresa Ellingworth, owner of Betty Ann Fashions, of Upper Castle Street and Karl Brooks, owner of The Cartridge House on Castle Street - all of whom were heavily involved in the chamber’s campaign to get the council to buy the former Co-op car park.

The AGM included reflections on the high-profile speakers who had addressed members of the Hinckley and District Chamber of Trade, including MPs Nicky Morgan, Andrew Bridgen and Marcus Jones and Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council chief executive Bill Cullen, as well as pledges for the future.

Rosemary said: “Going forward for the coming year we intend to build on our success and increase our membership by 20%.

“We will continue to work with the borough council, with the chamber representatives on the major committees and working groups to ensure that local business people can influence the decision makers and have more say in their own trading conditions, for the well-being of jobs, the future of business and the well-being of the area.”