Chew Valley Chamber of Commerce was originally formed in 1998 as a sub-committee of the Norton Radstock Chamber of Commerce through an initiative by the President of the Norton Radstock Chamber , Andrew Lamb, who also had business interests in the Chew Valley.  

 

The Chamber was born out of a need for a forum for local businesses in the Chew Valley area to provide a much needed voice for the business community in dealings with local and district councils and other Government agencies.  The formation of the Chamber also provided an opportunity for members to promote their businesses amongst other members via networking and have some fun and make friendships at social events.

 

Having steadily built up its membership and established itself, the Chew Valley Chamber achieved independent status as a Chamber of Commerce in its own right on 1 January 2001.

 

The Chew Valley Chamber has already established itself over the past few years and become a vital forum for the local business community.  The Chamber has established strong links with local and district councils with Chamber representatives sitting on a number of district council working groups and committees.  Strong links have also been forged with neighbouring Chambers of Commerce and business organisations strengthening the voice of business in the Chew Valley as part of the regional economy.

 

The Chamber has also been at the forefront of local campaigns on issues such as Broadband access in the rural areas, local transport and infrastructure.

 

Members have benefited greatly from the networking and referral opportunities available through the Chamber and these benefits can only increase as our membership grows.

 

The Chamber is committed to sustainable economic development within the Chew Valley but is also aware that any such development or growth must be sympathetic to the natural beauty and rich rural heritage which make the Valley such a great place to live and work.

 

Having a diverse business membership of mainly SMEs whose owners/managers are often also resident in the Chew Valley, the Chamber is not always able to reach consensus on all commerce and local issues and in such circumstances members’ views on specific issues will be reserved.

 

However, in circumstances where Chamber membership has reached a consensus view or perspective on a particular issue this will be put forward for general release.

 

The core values of the Chamber upon which the Chamber will base its views are as follows:-

 

The Chamber is committed to sustainable economic development within the Chew Valley but is also aware that any such development or growth must be sympathetic to the natural beauty and rich rural heritage which make the Valley such a great place to live and work.

 

The Chamber will seek to serve the best interests of its members at all times.

 

Where any conflict arises within the membership over specific issues and no consensus or clear majority prevails then no Chamber stance on the issue will be put forward.