Mike Hawkins from the Chamber of Commerce talks to Phoenix FM about what the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce has been doing to help local businesses:

Brentwood Chamber of Commerce has done everything it can, within government rules and guidelines, to keep going and help businesses themselves keep going during this dreadful pandemic.

What a year it has been – for everyone, but spare a thought for businesses, especially independents who have had a very tough time. Unless they are essential businesses, many of them have either been closed (relying on often inadequate governments grants), or, where they have been able to do so, they’ve had to adapt to online trading.

So how has Chamber helped? Well, it has run a large number of online courses to teach a variety of new skills to help trade – top of the list has been training in how to use social media to market their products; and there have been other virtual training courses. Also, Chamber has been able to continue offering networking opportunities – a vital tool for many businesses.

They have had to be virtual, of course, but the Zoom breakfasts, lunches etc. have proved very popular. And useful for businesspeople.

Our “Meet the Chamber” event on 13th May was another opportunity to get together with other business members and also find out more about the Executive Committee members who run Chamber on their behalf.

Guest speakers included our MP Alex Burghart, who had some interesting tales to tell about how life has been this past year in the House of Commons and as PM Boris Johnson’s Parliamentary Private Secretary.

Our monthly Newsletters keep members in touch with what is going on in the world of business and is an excellent chance for members to showcase their own businesses – they have wide circulation, and it all adds up to good, free publicity.

Naturally we haven’t given up on having face-to-face, ‘real’ events. For example, we are banking on a return to more-or-less normal life by the autumn and are going ahead with our Annual ‘Business Awards’ on 12th November 2021 – suitably adapted for whatever the rules will be by then. We are finalising arrangements such as the venue and will keep everyone informed; but it is always a popular, stellar event, so those who are interested should definitely make a note in their diaries.

If you have a business in the borough of Brentwood and are interested in finding out more about joining Brentwood Chamber of Commerce please visit www.brentwoodchamber.co.uk or contact the office at info@brentwoodchamber.co.uk