Meeting Minutes 12th November 2018

Full Meeting Minutes 12th Nov 2018

Godalming Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Full Meeting 12^th November 2018

 

Attendees:

Euan Davidson – Godalming Family Mediation

Kevin Depree – Godalming Food Company

Sindy Hammond Jones – The Party Co Ltd

Patsy Bell, Louise McLaughlin – Calico Curtains & Blinds

Angus Lyon – Johnson Fellowes Ltd

Tim Anker – Surrey Hills Internet

Sarah Alexander – Coaching Magnificence

Penny Brown – The Godalming Tral vel Company

Richard Wainwright – Godalming Town Council

Lidia Nistor – Lidia NistorLtd

Fran Bussell – The Pepperpot Directory

PauFollows – Councillor GTC Central & Ockford (Waverley)

Andy Jefferey – GTC

Ewen Macnair – Godalming Delights

Big awards

• Really successful events
• Goal of 50 entrants, ended up with 70
• Great coverage from media

 

BID (Business Investment District)

• Next step is a feasibility study funded by Waverley with mosaic partnership
• They will start to contact business’s in Godalming with an aim to support
• Public meeting will be announced to discuss areas
• Raise business rates for big business’s rate to be agreed by BID team
• Let us know if you would like to be included

 

Events

• Lunch Club – very successful events, the next one will be Friday 30^th November – Inn on the lake
• Training – 12^th December at Shipleys – ‘Are you giving your new year resolutions your best shot’
• Christmas drinks and nibbles at the Deli at 101 High Street – Free event, come and join us!

 

Chamber MGT team

• Administrator to join us imminently to ease the wheels and free up more time to work on initiatives and projects.

 

Retailers Forum

• This event will be held early next year and inclusive to all members and non members
• Previous events have lacked focus – this will change
• It was recommended that we host the event post clock change to encourage as many members as possible.
• We will use current members to invite additional guests to ensure full attendance

 

Developments and new business’s

• Godalming has fared well over the last 10 years
• Average at 5% vacancy rate, 70% of retail is Independents
• More indie promoting and marketing Godalming
• More ideas needed – retail forum for next year

 

Christmas Festival 24^th November

• Chamber runs the Grotto in the WN Centre
• Superb event- the best of Godalming

 

Late night trading

• The next key event will be 13^th Kevin will circulate this initiative with all business’s
• Fran has offered to advertise this in the Pepperpot, KD to provide details

 

Town Council Update – Andy Jeffery

• A number of events/initiatives take place each year to support business’s
  • GT Day – 300 Santa with Phyliss Tuckwell
  • Floral Godalming – successful – will be run again in 2019
  • Christmas lights – currently costs £39k
• Funding and Budgets are available subject to proposal
  • Promotion budget – Ideas to Suzie
  • Vegetation clearance
  • Flooding by Jewsons
• Pepperpot to close in Jan for a refurb (internal)
  • To reopen as a premises for meetings
  • 33% discount to members for hire
• Neighbourhood plan – going through currently
  • Waverley local plan as been through high court and ruled in favour
  • 40 local properties in planning process to be developed
  • Potential to apply for article 14 – to protect office space
• Introductions
  • Richard Wainwright– reporting back to GTC
  • Paul Follows – acts as opposition for Waverley & Godalming

 

Training Presentation – Sarah Alexander

• Sarah presented a brief group task demonstrating the power of the mind and outlined the key parts of her training business. Please get in touch directly if you would like to know more about what Coaching Magnificence does.