About Abingdon Chamber of Commerce

Mission

To be the voice of the local business community in the promotion of the businesses, the town and economy of Abingdon-on-Thames.

Objectives

To do all such lawful things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the following objectives:–

Representation & communication – to be the main representative of businesses within Abingdon and surrounding area in the overall development of Abingdon.

Services to business – to support businesses in both getting established and continuing their activities in the Abingdon area;  to become an instinctive reference point for all matters relating to commerce and industry in the town and surrounding areas.

Raising the profile of Abingdon-on-Thames – marketing and promoting Abingdon as a quality place in which to live, work and shop.

Local Economy – to promote and safeguard local businesses including the Retail Trade, Professions, Manu­facturing, Service Industries and other Businesses in Abingdon by official recom­mendations to all local and other bodies, and by any means at its disposal.

Education – to advance and promote commercial and technical education.

Fair principles of trading – to promote and disseminate information on fair principles, and to discourage forms of unfair competition as being opposed to individual interests and the general well-being of traders and their customers.

Goodwill, Friendship and Unity – to create and foster a spirit of goodwill, friendship and unity among Abingdon traders by means of meetings, discussions, lectures, debates, conferences and other events which provide facilities for social intercourse on a friendly basis between all Chamber Members.

Financial Support – to subscribe to, and support from the Chamber’s funds, such institutions and objects as may be deemed worthy by the Chamber and at the elected Officers’ discretion.

Strategy

• Establish contact with all businesses in the Abingdon area to promote the Chamber and its future activities.

• Manage the funding of the Chamber – predictable, dependable income to come from increased membership – and pursue large company sponsorship.

• Achieve more marketing, publicity & promotion of the Chamber, so that the general public as well as businesses are aware of our presence and the benefits of having an active Chamber in their community.

• Work with the Vale and Town Councils and their working parties wherever this is seen to be beneficial to the aims of the Chamber.

• Work to achieve the funding and establishment of a Town Centre Manager.

• Link our web-site with Chamber Members’ own business sites and Abingdon Town’s site, along with other sites thought to be suitable.

• Have Welcome Packs available for distribution to all new businesses in the area (who are therefore potential Chamber Members) and organise a regular forum for networking local businesses.

• Promote a successful Extravaganza event each year.

• Work with trade bodies wherever this could be beneficial to the aims of the Chamber.

• Improve the accessibility/contactability of the Chamber by local businesses and/or members of the public, and work with the Town and Vale Councils to encourage signposts and links to other ‘help’ bodies such as CAB.

• Be the link between organisations such as Traidcraft and local businesses and be able to advise on where to go for various types of business advice such as the development of overseas links.

• Consider affiliations with other Chambers and groups who may help achieve the Chamber’s aims.

• Work with the relevant bodies to promote Abingdon as a tourist attraction.

• Consider holding or participating in events that promote Abingdon as a place to work, shop and live.

• Consider holding or participating in charitable events which will help achieve the Chamber’s aims