Welcome to our regular newsletter with the latest updates from the Eden Valley Chamber of Commerce.  

Please feel free to forward onto anyone you think would find this of interest.
Sainsury's update

Message from Vice Chairman, Peter Kingham:

"We were extremely disappointed with the recent decision by Sainsbury's to pull out of development plans on Fircroft Way, especially given the level of support they received from the Chamber, Town Council and the local Edenbridge community.  They have let us all down and it is a deep shame for the whole community.

It is our intention to work closely with Sainsbury's to ensure the area is put to the best use possible for the town."  
CHAMBER AGM - Tuesday 2nd June

Please note that the AGM will be held at the Business Innovation Zone ( Unit 1, Norton  House,  Fircroft Way,  Edenbridge,  TN8 6EL ) on Tuesday 2nd June from 6.30pm.

Whilst the last Election of Officers took place in June last year and the term lasts for 3 years, the position of Chairman is still open with Peter Kingham only standing in within his role as Vice Chairman.  If you would be interested in putting yourself forward as Chamber Chairman, please email Peter at info@edenvalleychamber.org.uk.  He is also happy to discuss the position in further detail with anyone who thinks they may be interested.  Please call him on 07950 022 755 if you have any questions.
Congratulations to our new MP Tom Tugendhat

We want to send our congratulations to our newly elected MP Tom Tugendhat, who has shown his support to the chamber in the past and will continue to do so in his new role as MP.

Speaking to Tom, he said "I'm delighted and humbled by the support I have received. I am committed to supporting the businesses in Edenbridge and to helping the High Street grow. I look forward to working with the Chamber of Commerce and our whole community to see our town prosper."

We hope he will be able to join us at one of our meetings in the not too distant future.
May Networking Event - LAST CALL!

Wednesday 20th May - Monthly Networking
If you have not already done so and are intending on coming along to the event tomorrow evening, please RSVP by return using the button below.  If you are planning on bringing along a guest then please ensure they have registered as well as we are limited on space.  The event is being hosted by Nautilus Yachting Ltd and The Edenbridge Directory and will be held at:

The Watermill
87 High Street
Edenbridge
Kent
TN8 5AU
Eventbrite - Eden Valley Chamber Networking - May 2015
Business breakfast meetings coming soon
We are currently looking into starting up breakfast meetings for members and non-members. These will take place at the Business Innovation Zone and run between 7.45am and 8.45am every other month and will be free to attend although registration will be required.  

Watch this space!

In each newsletter we will be picking a chamber member at random to be featured in this section.  Next time it could be you!


SPOTLIGHT ON...

Howard Richardson of Nautilus Yachting Ltd

Howard may well be the longest serving member of the Chamber of Commerce.  Having joined 23 years ago he has been a regular face at meetings and executive meetings over the years.  His business, Nautilus Yachting Ltd, which he runs with his wife Nicola, started trading from their home on Church Street in 1992 and is now based at The Watermill on Edenbridge High Street.   

   

1. You've been a member of the chamber for a long time.  What have been the highlights of being part of the chamber over the last 23 years?


Seeing the town and its businesses grow and evolve as well as becoming aware of the number and diversity of businesses in and around Edenbridge.  The community events, fun days and the Trade Fair have all been highlights as well as the social side of meeting others with similar interests and concerns.


2. You started your own business, Nautilus Yachting Ltd, at a time before the internet transformed the way people book their holidays.  How have you overcome the challenges and embraced the opportunities the internet provides?  

We started our business as email and the internet were just appearing.  Although the internet allows competitors to set up shop easily and cheaply, the internet has made our business far more efficient and easier to administer as well as making it so much easier to present our sailing holidays to the world. Almost all our advertising is now on line and emailed newsletters allow us to keep in touch with our clients cheaply and instantly.

3. As a local employer, what would you say is the key for good staff retention?

The best thing we did was to sign up to Investors In People 12 years ago.  This helped us focus on involving our staff in all aspects of the business and hopefully they feel very much part of the business rather than just employees.

4. What do you and your staff like best about having an office based in Edenbridge High Street?

Convenience (and Waitrose!). There is a great range of shops and restaurants as well as free parking and uncrowded roads.

5. What is the best piece of advice you have learnt while running your business?

There are always problems - it is how you solve them that counts.



Nautilus Yachting Ltd - The Watermill - 87 High Street, Edenbridge, TN8 5AU

If you would like to make any contributions to the next newsletter, please email the editor at  networking@edenvalleyb2b.co.uk

Promoting business in Edenbridge and the Eden Valley, Kent.