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WEBSITE ADDRESS
About the Chamber

Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism is officially acknowledged as the voice of business in and around Weymouth and Portland - the longest established business organisation in the Borough.

The Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce is committed to bringing together the busy people of Weymouth and Portland to promote, protect and improve our wonderful borough.

The Chamber has around twenty Chamber meetings a year, beginning with the popular February AGM. We also get together once a month for breakfast meetings. These are held locally where we enjoy a great english breakfast, hot coffee and scintillating chat.

A variety of guest speakers usually join us for a twenty minutes or so to share insightful business experiences and advice.

This year, we have launched breakNETspeed – networking with a difference! Visit the breakNETspeed tab on our website for full details. In 2012, the Chamber have introduced evening meetings and specialist events for those who are unable to make the early mornings.

These topics vary and as a member you will have the opportunity to host your own, with support from the Chamber.

We like to let our hair down on occasions and our fabulous social committee ensures we have fun. From the President’s annual dinner-dance, the annual summer ball and trips to the Channel Islands, Weymouth Pantomime, watching the Olympic Sailing, to taking flight up the brand new Merlin tower; we like to remember once in a while that life in Weymouth and Portland is for living and enjoying as well as protecting and nurturing.

The current membership comprises a diverse range of businesses and organisations, all seeking to maximise individual and collective potential. The Chamber welcomes small and large businesses to membership- such diversity can only be good.

Established in 1928, we’ve been serious about maintaining our future here in Weymouth and Portland for 80 years. Our organisation is totally focused on local issues and firmly committed to the overall welfare of business in general, principally in Weymouth & Portland, but also throughout South and West Dorset.

The Chamber lobbies Weymouth & Portland Borough Council on a range of matters from economic development to resisting more increases in parking charges.

It has the eventual aim of installing a Town Centre Manager in Weymouth and is currently evaluating (with Weymouth Town Centre Group) various avenues to make this happen, possibly by means of a Business Improvement District scheme.

Though very long-established, the mixed range of membership ages combines traditional and well-tested ideas with the dynamic, forward-thinking initiatives of younger members. Invaluable links with other businesses, local and regional authorities, vital decision makers and specialist business organisations bring untold benefits to Chamber members.

Close liaison with South West Chambers of Commerce in Bristol and affiliation to Dorset Business (based in Poole) keep the Chamber in touch with news, views, trends, seminars, training and business development opportunities. Cordial relations are maintained with adjacent Chambers of Commerce in Dorchester and Bridport. We also maintain an excellent relationship with the local and national media. We keep in regular contact with MP for South Dorset, Richard Drax.

Besides general meetings and business briefings, a lively social programme is organised, culminating in the President’s dinner-dance every February-time. A series of monthly business breakfasts for ten months of the year are organised, each with a guest speaker and attended by many local business people. Annual membership is £99.

Weymouth Town Centre Group is an active partnership of local businesses and the Borough Council, who aim to promote and enhance Weymouth town centre as a place to live, work, visit and do business. The Group is an autonomous part of Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism. Not only does the Group monitor the economic health of the town centre, but also organises a number of events through the year, designed to stimulate shoppers and trade. WTCG and the Chamber jointly organise the annual switch-on of the Christmas lights. Membership is by invitation.

Contact Details
President
Anna-Marie Geare
C/O Franklin & CO
7A Lynch Lane Offices,
Lynch Lane,
Weymouth,
Dorset
DT4 9DW

Bournemouth Echo: BENEFIT: Anna-Maria Geare anna-maria.geare@lloydstsb.co.uk


Secretary
Laura Culshaw
C/O Franklin & CO
7A Lynch Lane Offices,
Lynch Lane,
Weymouth,
Dorset
DT4 9DW
07730 135973

laura@wpchamber.co.uk