Aberdare
and District Chamber of Trade & Commerce was initially brought into being
over one hundred years ago and except for a brief period during the War has met
and discussed problems in the Town and surrounding district and tried to find
solutions, while, at the same time, making that interaction a bit of fun. Obviously
in this press button age much of that interaction now takes place on line but
the aims are still enshrined in current working practise and we have not lost
sight of the fun element. .
We would refer interested bodies and organizations
to Hanes, Cynon Valley History Society for an excellent detailed account of the
early history and detailed account of the organization and area.
Our
current aims are exactly those of our Founding Fathers and we currently address
current problems on behalf of the Town Centre setting solutions and questions
against the wider National financial landscape.
As you will know the
car parking charges and Welsh Planning Policy which currently allows supermarkets
to proliferate almost at will are ongoing campaigns, but we regularly make representation
to the Local Authority on behalf of individual traders when they have problems
which require a slightly louder voice.
reins to Bourke Le Carpentier in February 2005.
To work with other organisations and authorities to ensure that the Town Centre remains a vibrant retail scenario by the following means.
To chart the retail mix in order to ensure that it attracts maximum customer footfall.
To increase the parking space, which includes re-accessing the Ynys Car Park which has been effectively removed from full use by the building of the overhead bridge.
To work towards a reduction in the business rate to reflect the amount of damage done by re-locating large chunks of business outside the Town Centre.
To work towards giving the Town an updated identity which has been discussed at Town Centre Forum meetings with RCT County Council.
To continue to attend Town Centre Forum meetings and the annual budget setting exercise in order to ensure that we get value for money.
To continue to press for a better and regular cleansing programme for the Town including maintenance of the seating etc plus more civic enhancements.
To continue to take affiliated membership of Cardiff Chamber of Commerce in order to ensure that our voice is amplified over retail issues of National importance.
To continue to liaise with The Federation of Small Businesses in order to take advantage of the background work they have already done in lobbying for small retailers.
To ensure that new ideas fed in from membership are thoroughly discussed within the Executive meetings.
To continue to monitor the press and inform Christine Chapman AM and her researcher Matthew Collins regarding trends with Out-of-Town Superstores and the effects on businesses.
To continue to expand the remit of Wales Action For Sensible Planning through which we make representations to WAG on Planning Policy Guidance for retailing.
To attend joint meetings with Chambers of Trade in RCT and exchange ideas on best practice and progress.
To liaise with other Chambers of Trade in other Welsh Valley areas over Town Centre patterns.
former President of
the chamber
former President of
the chamber
Aberdare Library photo archive.
