Castlebar Chamber
Purpose of Chamber :
· To promote and support the local economy for the benefit of business in Castlebar.
· To create a dynamic business climate in which entrepreneurial flair can flourish.
· To provide opportunities for people in business to network.
· To achieve a consensus for the strategic development of the town as an attractive place to do business, live and visit.
Chamber Structure:
The Chamber is run by a voluntary Committee supported by a full time office Administrator and part time Assistant who are based in Chamber office in Linenhall St, Castlebar. All businesses are invited to join the Chamber and individuals can volunteer to serve on any of the Chambers’ Working Groups.
The work of the Chamber is carried out through four Working Groups, all of which operate on a voluntary basis.
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Retail Working Group
Key Objective
- Create a strong retail environment with adequate infrastructure in place to ensure Castlebar maintains its position as No 1 Retail centre in West.
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Destination Castlebar Working Group Key Objective
- To market Castlebar’s unique attractions under a single brand and attract more visitors for longer stays & greater spend in the local economy.
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Enterprise Development Working Group Key Objective
- Create a positive and supportive environment for the maintenance and development of new enterprises, with a strong focus on networking and supporting businesses.
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Membership Services:
Key Objective
- Deliver a range of services to members with a strong focus on the promotion of networking and services of interest to members.
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Benefits of Chamber Membership:
· Membership of an active group of businesses working on your behalf to improve the overall business environment.
· Networking opportunities to support growth of your business.
- Free participation in Castlebar Gift Voucher Scheme.
- Access to Seminars and Information events of benefit to your business.
- Full listing on Chamber website with link to your own website.
- Opportunity to participate in Destination Castlebar marketing initiative.
- Access to services provided by centrally located Chamber Office.
- Regular clarifications on legislation and regulations that affect business.
- Opportunities, with other stakeholders, to influence growth of town.
- Regular communication from Chamber, including weekly Ezine, on matters of interest to you.
- Access to Eventx - an online calendar of business events.
Cost of Membership :
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Category
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No of Employees
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Annual Rate
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A
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1 - 10
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€200
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B
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11 – 50
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€350
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C
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50 +
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€850
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D
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Start Ups - less than 2 years in business
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€50
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Subscriptions can be paid in one amount or in instalments by completing a standing order.
Current Projects:
The Chamber is fully committed to meeting the challenges faced by businesses in the present difficult economic climate. The following are examples of projects that the Chamber is currently working on:
- Liaison with Town Council to ensure that the redevelopment of Town Centre is completed this year and that there is a minimum of disruption to ongoing business as the work progresses.
- The promotion of “Castlebar – Everyone’s Invited” marketing imitative aimed at attracting more visitors to Castlebar to shop & stay.
- The promotion of Chamber Shopping Voucher Scheme aimed at retaining business in the Town.
- Networking events - 2 events held since March at which businesspeople got the opportunity to network with likeminded business people.
- Information Evenings – “Grow your business through Licensing “and “Managing Cash through Challenging Times” were the titles of the 2 most recent events hosted by Chamber.
- Lobbying local and national bodies for improvement in infrastructure such as access roads & broadband.
- Eventx - an Online Events Calendar to publicise business events.
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Chamber Council
The current Chamber Council, which was elected at AGM on 22nd February 2010, is:
President: Peter Glynn Vice President: Tom Canavan (Chairman Enterprise Group) Secretary: Charlie Clarke Treasurer: Caroline Gordon PRO: Toni Burke
Committee : Colm Hynes (Chairman Retail Group) ; Sinead Kelleher; Michael Gill; Adrian Cunningham; Colm Rochford; Padraic McGuinness (Chairman Destination Castlebar
Group) ; Louise McCullagh; Brendan Heneghan.
More Information available from Chamber Office:
· The Chamber office is located at Linenhall St, Castlebar . The Office is staffed by
Stephanie Colombani and Margaret Linnane.
· Contact details are : Phone No : 094 9024845; Fax No 094 9024971
Email Address : chamber@castlebar.ie Website : www.castlebarchamber.ie
June 2010