Altrincham & Sale Chamber are delighted to be celebrating their Centenary year – 2009

Last week saw the start of the Chamber events calendar for 2009, with the New Year lunch at Mere Golf & Country Club, sponsored by Bridging Finance.   Around 100 members attended to network and to listen to the speaker and Vice Patron of the Chamber, Graham Brady MP.  Graham delivered a most enlightening speech on the politics and economics of the credit crunch.   His views on the recession and the global financial crisis generated many questions from the floor.

Later this month - Wednesday 25 February - is the President’s Centenary Mixer at the RadissonSAS at Manchester Airport, from 5.45pm – 8pm.  Many businesses have already reserved places for this event.  If you are intending to come along, please contact the Chamber office to reserve your place today at this members’ only event, as spaces are limited.  The cost is just £20 per head.

As the local Chamber of Commerce, we are always looking at different ways to assist you.  Recently we met up with Peter Watson, Managing Director of Business Link Northwest and Steve Connolly, Relationship Manager for Greater Manchester.  We discussed ways in which we can work together to provide our members with intensive support to help their businesses not only to survive but also to thrive.   The meeting was very positive and we are hoping to arrange for them to speak to members at the spring lunch sponsored and hosted by The Cinnamon Club in April.   Meanwhile you can go on line at www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest or contact Steve Connolly on 0845 00 66 888. Much of the support available is free to members.

We are also fortunate to have Trafford College on our doorstep.  Currently the Business Management Department have many opportunities for businesses to train   or retrain their employees, often even without the employees leaving your premises.  Funding is available so why not get in touch.  For further details contact Paul Cocker, Business Training Unit Manager on 0161 886 7007 or go to www.trafford.ac.uk.

When business is booming, many of us advertise and market our businesses; however in difficult economic times the tendency is to cut back on this.  Please remember it is still important to get your message out there and continue to raise your profile.  The Chamber offers very competitive rates to advertise within the business magazine, Altruism.  If you would like to reserve space within the spring publication which is due out mid April, please do so soon to avoid disappointment!

To keep fully up to date on all that the Chamber offers, please go to www.altrinchamchamber.co.uk.