Dartmouth is known for its rich maritime history, cultural heritage, and scenic beauty. It attracts many visitors and tourists throughout the year, who enjoy its harbour, castle, museums, festivals, and events .
However, Dartmouth is not only a tourist destination, but also a vibrant and diverse business community. There are many local businesses operating in various sectors, such as retail, hospitality, services, manufacturing, agriculture, and marine. These businesses contribute to the local economy, employment, and social welfare of Dartmouth and the surrounding areas.
To support and represent the interests of these businesses, we are launching a new local business association – the Dartmouth and District Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber is a membership organisation that aims to improve the local economy in the Dartmouth and District area of South Hams, Devon. The Chamber achieves this aim through three main purposes:
- to advocate,
- to promote,
- to collaborate.
First, the Chamber advocates, in partnership with the Devon Chamber of Commerce, for local business by representing unified views to decision makers at various levels, such as the local council, the county council, the regional authority, and the national government. The Chamber will support regional lobbies for favourable policies, incentives, or opportunities that can benefit the local business environment.
Second, the Chamber will promote local business by acting as a signposter. The Chamber will provide information, advice, and guidance to its members on various topics, such as business planning, marketing, funding, training, and networking. The Chamber also facilitates business to business support and buying power, by creating opportunities for members to exchange ideas, share resources, and cooperate on projects. Moreover, the Chamber showcases the local business community to the wider public, by supporting the organisation of events, campaigns, as well as recognising and celebrating the achievements and contributions of local businesses.
Third, the Chamber collaborates with other stakeholders in the local area, such as community groups, local chambers, tourism and councils. The Chamber builds and maintains positive relationships with these stakeholders, and works with them on common goals and initiatives that can enhance the quality of life and the attractiveness of the area. The Chamber also supports and will participate in various charitable, cultural, and environmental causes that can benefit the local society and the natural environment.
The Chamber operates according to its values, which are: independence, objectivity, professionalism, integrity, and pragmatism, with a Code of Conduct in place for its Executive Committee Members. The Executive Committee initially will consist of two Co-Chairs, Laura Campbell – Operational Excellence SW & Jo Hinde – Morellos, with Sam Gray – Toodles Dog Grooming Salon heading up Membership , in addition, a Treasurer and Secretary. The Executive Committee meets monthly to discuss and decide on the Chamber’s activities and affairs.
The Chamber welcomes members from businesses of all industries and sizes, primarily located in the Dartmouth and District postcode areas of TQ6 0, TQ6 9, TQ9 7.
The Chamber also invites individuals and organisations with similar objectives to be Associate Members, and organisations who would like to formally collaborate with the Chamber to be Partners. The Chamber has a Code of Conduct in place for its members, associates, and partners, who are expected to uphold the Chamber’s values and purposes.
As we build our Chamber to play an important role in the economic development of the area through advocacy, promotion, and collaboration, we will support and represent the interests of the local business community, and contribute to the prosperity and well-being of Dartmouth and the surrounding areas.
To do all this we also need a brand. We would like to invite enquiries to create a logo / brand for us?
For more information and a brief please contact us on marketing@dartmouthchamber.co.uk
We have a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dartmouthchamber2023/
And a website: www.dartmouthchamber.co.uk
Please sign up on our website or Facebook page to follow our progress plus details of membership subscriptions which will be available from 1st January 2024.
If you would like to get involved, please contact Laura & Jo at chair@dartmouthchamber.co.uk