Future bright for Chamber

The President, Mr Andrew Dickson, told the annual general meeting: "I believe that the future is truly bright for the Chamber and its members."

Mr Dickson outlined the transformation in 18 months after the Chamber de-merged from the Training and Enterprise Council and Business Link set-up.

It had gone from a government-backed organisation with 150 staff to one financed by membership funds and run by 10 people.

In the first year up to March 31, 2002 it had made a financial loss after taxation of £80,807.

But the Chamber had been "extremely inventive" in developing its new Business Advantage service which he expected to be the salvation of the organisation in the medium and long term.

Mr Dickson said: "With funding and new staff coming on stream this year, the project is under way and that is thanks to a partnership with Business Link, the European Regional Development Fund, Northwest Development Agency, the local authorities of North Manchester and media groups." Business Advantage acts as a sophisticated dating agency -- linking companies which want to sell with those which want to buy.

Mr Dickson pointed out that the Chamber played a pivotal role in representing the private sector in economic regeneration and local partnership circles.

"Through this, we ensure that local businesses influence local decision-making and help determine the ways public funds are spent to promote economic success and social inclusion," he said.

Next Spring, Bolton Council's Business Liaison Unit and other council-run business services would be moving in to a new-look Commerce House in Bridgeman Place, Bolton.

Mr Dickson said: "They will be joined by representatives from Business Link and together we will provide a clear and coherent first point of access for business support -- working in partnership with other providers in the town."

He said they were also working with partners in Bury to try and streamline business support services there too.