On a gorgeous Summer’s morning, over 70 members of the Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce met at the Rendezvous Weymouth for the monthly business breakfast. The breakfast was opened by President, Mark Blunden who started the meeting with some exceptionally good news that Weymouth would now become a Business Improvement District and he asked Nigel Reed Chair of the Weymouth BID to take the floor and explain what the next steps would be. Nigel firstly thanked all the members who had been involved with the Steering Group or in any way in terms of supporting the BID. Immediate priorities now were to reform the Steering Group and start the recruitment process for a Weymouth BID Manager and premises.
The first event was likely to be around Half Term / Halloween in October followed by Christmas events with a strong possibility of reintroducing the popular Victorian Shownight. Nigel encouraged businesses to talk to the BID via face to face meetings, social media or via the BID website blog at www.weymouthbid.co.uk . The good news is that Weymouth now will have the resources to make things happen in Weymouth. Anna Maria Geare, organiser of the Breakfast thanked everyone for attending and introduced the first speaker, Kate Hindson Director of Economic Development & Tourism at Weymouth & Portland Borough Council & West Dorset District Council who gave an update on Summer Tourism activities in Weymouth.
The local authority currently support over 260 events in Weymouth& Portland during the year and in 2013 they are conducting a review of those events to see which ones are most successful and why. It is very important that the local authority receive feedback from the business community during this review and asked for businesses to contact Matt Ryan, Head of Tourism & Events email : [email protected] The local authority are also working closely with Condor and plans are in place for the return of Condor 17 July. Some extra expenditure has been incurred due to weekend and out of hours working to achieve this but all agreed that this will be worthwhile. Condor are planning an event to celebrate their return to Weymouth and see our town very much as the Gateway to the Channel Islands. The Pavilion theatre closed on 31 May but 2 formal tenders have been received by the local authority which are currently under review. It is hoped that one of these will be successful and the venue can reopen as soon as possible.
The second speaker was Roger Dalton of the Dorset Seafood Festival. This year the festival will be held on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th July. The Seafood Festival was recently ranked 4th by the Independent newspaper and many people have arranged visits and holidays around the festival. There will be over 90 stands and the festival will be bigger than ever before. A 40 page brochure will list the events and attractions taking place during the festival including
- AGA Cooker Theatre showcasing celebrity chefs demonstrating their skills
- Seafish Marquee – The Business of Fishing talking about the business behind bringing fish to our plates.
- Over 90 trade stands (48 of them from Dorset) new attractions include A S Sushi, Dorset Shellfish, Crabhouse Cafe and The Glorious Oyster
- The Pop Up Cinema is hosted by the Dorset Seafood Festival and the B Side Art Group – Open air film showing edited highlights of 20,000 leagues under the Sea set to music on Saturday evening. The Show will be based at the Pavilion with a champagne bar, swing grill and music from 7.30
- BBC Radio 4 will also be broadcasting a food panel programme 2 days before the DSF takes place
- www.dorsetseafood.co.uk
The whole festival will be filmed over the 2 days and will be available for viewing on You Tube following the event The final speaker was Ryan Hope Chair of the newly formed Weymouth Carnival & Event Club (charity incorporated organisation) www.weymouthcarnival.co.uk The Weymouth Carnival will take place on Wednesday 21 August and the aim of the club is to not only raise funds for charity but to also promote Weymouth and surrounding area to its full potential. The group want to work with businesses and are encouraging them to share ideas, comments and feedback to help improve the Carnival Day experience for everyone. Mr Hope left a questionnaire with the members which asked for feedback via his email [email protected] .
The Carnival & Event Club are still seeking sponsorship for 2013 event and asking for more Floats to enter the carnival.
Mark Blunden, President of WPCC then presented Hangers Heroes with the funds raised at the recent Presidents Ball on 11th May. A cheque for £325.00 was handed to Karl Lantree of Hangers Heroes. Fiona Penny, member of the Executive Committee then told members about a social event taking place on 19th October 2013– The Bollywood Ball, organised by the WPCC in association with the Balti House at the Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy. Tickets will be £40 and are available from Fiona Penny direct [email protected] or via the Chamber website www.wpchamber.co.uk. Guests will enjoy a 3 course Indian Buffet, Indian dancing and entertainment. Dress Code Black Tie & Evening Dress ( Bollywood dress optional). Tables of 10 are available for reservation. The next Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce “Break Net Speed” Breakfast will be held at Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester on 25th June please book at www.wpchamber.co.uk. This event is held in association with the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce. The July Business Breakfast will be held on 2 July 07h45 at the Rendezvous Weymouth. Please book by emailing Anna Maria Geare at email : [email protected] An automated payment system will be introduced in September 2013 for breakfast bookings. The Keynote speaker will be Mickey Jones of DJ Property who will be celebrating 50 years in business 1963 – 2013 and sharing elements of their commercial success.
The June breakfast was exceptionally busy and a feeling of anticipation was in the air as Weymouth entered a new era as a Business Improvement District . By working together as a collective of business organisations, led by the Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce we can only expect more positive outcomes from the town. For more information about joining the WPCC please visit www.wpchamber.co.uk
Julie Cleaver
