Welcome from the President

 

Welcome to the April edition of our newsletter.

 

The April business meeting was held at Chez Gerrard – many thanks for their hospitality. The meeting attracted 29 members. Annie Mulady, Vice President, presented the winners of the ‘April Fool’ event with a prize of a large jar of sweets courtesy of Beehive Treats in Spittal Street. Emily the Manager of Chez Gerrard gave a presentation on their High Street Restaurant together with an update on offers they are currently promoting. Graham Innes from First Responders spoke about their organisation and how they support the community. Annie also advised the meeting that the virtual tour of the town had now attracted 14 businesses to be promoted on the site. If you are interested in joining the tour, contact www.estatevue.com/platform/uk/marlow/. After the formal agenda was completed, participants had an opportunity to network and enjoy the hospitality of Chez Gerrard. Full minutes of the meeting will be available on our website shortly.

 

The next business meeting will be at The Compleat Angler, Marlow at 6.00pm on Monday the 17^th May.

 

This month, our featured business is Crowne Coaching and we are launching  ‘Web Wise’, Tony Thornby will be answering your questions on how to use the web effectively to promote your business – e-mail Tony with your questions and we will publish them in future editions. See his first article below.

 

Following the success of the “Scarecrow Trail” organised by the Chamber last year, by popular request we organised a further event this time over the Easter holiday. An ‘April Fool’ trail - despite the poor weather the event attracted both local residents and visitors to the town and we received nearly 100 entries from as far as Milton Keynes for the event. The Towers-Goodman family from Maidenhead won first prize, The Kebtane family from Windsor won second prize and third prize went to Sara Helin who only moved to Marlow the weekend of the event.

 

Members may be aware that in an effort to ensure that the town looks attractive, we own the flower beds positioned across the centre of the town. We have an opportunity for businesses to promote themselves by sponsoring a flower bed, we have two beds outside Zizzi’s at £200 each plus VAT, one outside Fegos in the High Street at £390 plus VAT and one outside Dean Street car park at £460 plus VAT – if your organisation would be interested in promoting your company in this way whilst also ensuring the town looks attractive, please contact Jo Braybrooke at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Last year, The Chamber re-launched our website at www.marlowchamber.com. In order for us to maintain and develop the site further, we are now offering a tendering opportunity to local businesses.

 

What the Chamber is looking for now and ongoing is:-

• Advice/Guidance on future developments
• Advice/Guidance on content
• Monthly development/additions including distribution of the Newsletter (fixed monthly fee - estimate 2/3 hours per month)
• Industry search facility for members section
• Advice/Guidance on position of Virtual Tour
• Quarterly review meetings
• Training on adding new members details & sending out mailshots to all members
• Refresh of home page
• Update images on web site

If you would be interested in proposing for this contract, or know of a local company that may be interested, please contact Jo Braybrooke on above e-mail the deadline for submissions is the 4^th May 2010.