Midhurst Chamber of Commerce folds
Midhurst Chamber of Commerce, which has represented traders' interests in the town for more than 20 years, has folded.
The organisation has suffered from declining interest within its own ranks in recent years, and for the last two years it has had no chairman.
Its business manager Simon Clark quit, blaming lack of active support from members and too few people prepared to put themselves forward to form a new committee.
The vice-chairman, bakery boss Mark Hubbard, has been left to lead it.
Only 15 of its 70 member businesses were represented at its annual meeting when the decision to disband the group was taken.
There was only a brief discussion on the resolution 'that the Midhurst Chamber of Commerce should be dissolved with immediate effect due to lack of active support from members'.
Jane Haycock, who has been an active member for two decades, told the Observer: "Midhurst Chamber of Commerce has now ceased to exist. It means there is no focal point and no spokesperson for businesses in the town.
"It has struggled for support. Everyone is very involved in their own business, trying to keep going in difficult times. They have not got a lot of time for anything else.
"It has really run its course, I think," But Mrs Haycock added: "Petworth's chamber stopped and then started again as something new."
There is hope something may be salvaged. The meeting was told that a number of businesses were working with Melanie Burgoyne, Chichester District Council's rural towns co-ordinator, on new initiatives to encourage people to shop locally in Midhurst – initiatives which were originally spearheaded by the chamber.
Meeting chairman Darren Clarke, of printing business KerryType, said: "Hopefully from the ashes will arise a new more informal group, which will continue the task of encouraging visitors and promoting businesses in our town."
All members of the now-defunct organisation are to be asked if they wish to have their 40 subscriptions for the year repaid.
Those that do will receive them and any remaining balance in the funds can, in line with the chamber's rules, be used for a benevolent cause.
A proposal to donate this money to the town council to be used specifically for Christmas lights next year was unanimously approved at the meeting.
In addition to Mrs Haycock's contribution to the group, and that of Mark Hubbard, Mr Clarke paid particular tribute to the chamber's treasurer, Julian Goodale, who, he said, had done 'an excellent but unenviable job' for many years to keep the group's finances healthy.
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Wednesday 30 May 2012
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