Penrith Chamber of Trade and Commerce
So here we are. One month into my year as President and the main talking point is Sainsburys and New Squares.
Having met with various other groups such as PACT and HOP and the Civic Society we have decided to work together to drive forward a vision for Penrith that we can all support. The next step is a meeting with Eden District Council to discuss our ideas and find a method of bringing them to fruition.
Over the next two months we will be meeting with EDC and Sainsburys to discuss our plans and see what influence we can bring to the development so that when open it can enhance 'The Penrith experience' and compliment the town and its businesses.
We have also been looking at ways to improve what you get out of the Chamber both in terms of business benefits and Social events. Likewise whilst we are taking the Chamber forward we need to know what you want from it so please do feedback your ideas and criticisms so that we can improve.
The lottery is still a work in progress as interviewing for the positions takes place but thanks to generous local support we have no financial worries in being able to get up and running and, make no mistake,this is something that will happen.
As I stated at the AGM,I want this year to be a year of less talking and more action and with that in mind I want to appeal to all of you who are not involved with one of our committees to come forward and help.
The committees in question meet infrequently but need more members to make the ideas they come up with work and of course any input is welcome.
We are really trying to drive the Chamber forward and I would ask all of you who do come along to mention our meetings to a nearby business and invite them along to our next meeting which will be held at The George Hotel at 6pm on Tuesday 6th April.
Kevin Douglas will be in attendance to give an update on developments with the New Squares situation and I would like to see a good attendance for this.
Could I ask members to also notify myself or Jill as soon as possible if you are not attending, this would help enormously with room planning.
I know the town is in a state of disarray with all the roadworks taking place simultaneously but bear in mind that all these works need doing and we are better to get them out of the way now rather than in the middle of the major tourist season.
If I can ask one more thing of all of you it would be to try and keep a positive message going out about Penrith and its facilities because the more people we tell what the good things are about our town then the more other people will hear it and with that in mind (and if your still reading this) I will leave you with that someone told me years ago 'Enthusiasm breeds Enthusiasm' So get out there and start breeding........Enthusiasm.
Kelvin