About Us
Who & What is the Chamber?
The Wellingborough & East Northants Chamber of Commerce was founded over 75 years ago and was formed to represent the interests and aspirations of local businesses. In 2019 the Chamber expanded to include East Northamptonshire, including Higham Ferrers, Irthlingborough, Oundle, Raunds, Rushden and Thrapston. The Executive Team includes individuals drawn from a wide range of backgrounds including Legal, Accounting, Commercial Property specialists, Planning Consultancy, Retail, Manufacturing, Marketing and Financial Services.
Membership is made up of a kaleidoscope of businesses from sole traders, through SMEs, to International Groups – all with the same purpose of sharing experience for the benefit and growth of all.
What are the Chamber’s Objectives?
The Chamber is focused on helping promote business growth, providing help and advice through its Executive and Membership.
As a recognised organisation, the Chamber works closely with Local Government, politicians, MPs and Central Government both directly and through the regional Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP). It monitors local issues, collecting data that has a direct impact on Chamber Members and their business activities and, where required, lobbies those who can make or assist in decisions that might help resolve any issues or provide strategies for growth.
What are the challenges?
Much has been said of Brexit and the challenges facing UK businesses. 2021 revealed the full effect of the UK’s ‘separation’ but the single most influential challenge facing Wellingborough, East Northants and Northamptonshire is the unification of the seven councils within the County, which took place in 2021 (hot on the heals of Brexit). The effective ‘bankruptcy’ of Northamptonshire County Council led to unification of Wellingborough, East Northants, Kettering and Corby councils (as one unified local authority assimilating the County Council’s functions) and Northampton, Daventry and South Northants as the other. Each town within the newly unified councils is represented by its own Town Council.
How can the Chamber help?
The challenges facing businesses during this period of instability could potentially be complex and the Chamber can play an important roll in maintaining or raising lines of communication, lobbying and offering independent professional advice.
In addition to providing a local voice for business to politicians, the Chamber offers access to professional services found within its Executive and Membership, training through affiliated providers, promotion through its media framework, job fulfilment through a dedicated page within its website and a high profile media presence, through regular newsletters, website, social media, events (such as the Chamber Business Awards) and its own business membership directory.
Strength in numbers
With the fast moving changes facing business, Wellingborough & East Northants Chamber of Commerce is looking to expand its Membership, giving local companies the opportunity of working together, in partnership, to meet the challenges ahead.
We are keen to welcome you to the Chamber and would be happy to meet up and talk through the advantages of membership.
Join us and receive:
News and Information
Immediate access to advice and information on local, regional and national issues, which may assist in decision making.
Advice
Advice on new legislation, executive issues and to talk through areas of difficulty.
Networking
Facilitiates interaction and networking opportunity at regular business and social functions, providing an opportunity to gain more business.
New Ideas
Provides new ideas, considerations and information from guest speakers to assist toward increasing the effectiveness of your business.
Guidance
Receive guidance on providers of personal development and skills training.
Influence
Provides the stage where you can communicate with people who have influence within the community and in making your voice heard.
Newsletters
Get a bi-monthly printed newsletter and monthly email newsletter with business updates, company profiles and articles of topical interest, with the opportunity to promote your success in business.
I joined the Chamber because I run a local business and I wanted to become part of an organisation dedicated to enhancing the prospects of Wellingborough.