We've had a very busy June here at The Chamber with our summer meeting, spotlight features and more - so have a read and perhaps you'll spot yourself in a photo!
Welcome to this month's new members...
Good to have them on board! Don’t forget to check out the latest spotlight features on our members so you can get to know them better! Remember also to check out our Member 2 Member offers - On Tap have added one this week - check it out!
Summer Meeting Success!
The Chamber held its summer meeting at Little Gate Farm on the 14th of June. The evening was a great success with over 70 people joining us for an enjoyable, relaxed evening of networking with a BBQ supper and live music. Those attending represented businesses not only in Rye but from the ACES network (Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex) and it was wonderful to see new connections being made across the county. We are thrilled to say we have welcomed several new members to Rye Chamber following the evening. Here's a group just about to take a fabulous tour of the Farm...
Thanks to Rye Community Transport for providing transport to and from Rye; to Rye Butchers and Georgie Porgie’s Pudding & Pie for the delicious supper we enjoyed; to Logan Wilson for the summer tunes and of course to Littlegate Farm for hosting us.
"It was the perfect networking event. Relaxed and casual but with quality networking potential and inspiring guests and location."
More photos and videos on our website and socials to follow!
What was evident is that it was the first time that many local businesses had been introduced to the incredible work of Littlegate Farm. From the feedback you gave us, many of you have been inspired to consider how your businesses might be able to engage with them further. To that end, Littlegate will give a presentation on Supported Internships at our next meeting so you can learn more. If you'd like to host a future Chamber event at your business location, please get in touch!
Rye Roundup: your at-a-glance digest of Chamber news for June
Rye Chamber attended the ACES summer meeting and discussed issues that are challenging businesses throughout East Sussex including – the ongoing presence of NES litter wardens in our towns, problems with fly-tipping, delays to road improvements (A27 and A21) being impediments to economic growth; the future of Locate East Sussex; the future of SELEP. It was agreed that the strength of the alliance is in lobbying Government as has been demonstrably seen in the instance of getting the A27 included in the report published by the National Infrastructure Commission which has been sent to the Treasure and Department for Transport. IT'S WORTH REMINDING YOU THAT... through our ACES membership Rye Chamber Members have access to FREE BUSINESS SUPPORT, for example:
Social media and marketing
Business recovery
Change management
Cost control
Business efficiency
Business planning in an uncertain, fast changing world
Leadership development
Coaching and mentoring
Sector specific support Check out their website for more information.
Following the Chamber’s submission to Rother’s parking consultation on the proposed parking controls in Military Road, we have received a reply from East Sussex County Council. It acknowledged our points and asked us to confirm them for the official record which we have duly done. The letter states that if the proposals do go ahead the area will be monitored for a period of 12 months at the end of which any issues observed or reported during that time will become amendments as part of a future review. No further questions are now being responded to on these proposals, no date for a decision has been provided either.
The Chamber circulated an appeal to members on behalf of Littlegate Farm who were looking for stallholders for their summer fair which is a fundraising event to be held on 1st July.
The Chamber met with Rastrum Ltd, who own Rye Wharf to discuss the range of businesses located on their site and how the Chamber might work more closely to represent them and their needs. We are determined to grow the membership of the Chamber so it more closely reflects the diversity of business, trade and industry we have around the town.
The Chamber initiated an approach to Paul Kennedy, from Zoom Events who are holding the ‘Rye Food & Drink Festival’ on the town Salts between the 21st and 23rd July. The Chamber was concerned that no prior consultation with the town’s businesses had been undertaken and that no consideration has been given to the potential issues this may cause with traffic and parking in the town on a busy summer weekend. The Chamber advised Paul that the event should include encouragement to visit the town via train to help alleviate congestion problems and suggested the Rugby Club for overflow parking. Paul acknowledged the need for greater engagement with the town’s business community and in order to ensure there is opportunity for the town’s businesses to be included the Chamber has secured a 50% discount for members wishing to have a stall at the event. Here's a statement from Paul:
"We are delighted to announce the highly anticipated arrival of the inaugural Rye Food & Drink Festival. In this exciting new venture, we extend a warm invitation to all esteemed businesses in Rye to join us at this delightful summer celebration of food & drink. To express our gratitude for their support, we are pleased to offer a special discounted rate exclusively for these local businesses. We highly encourage attending this festival by utilising the fantastic local transport links, but for those driving, paid parking will also be available at Rye Rugby club. Prepare for a tantalising culinary experience! This family-oriented event is filled with children’s entertainment, live music and, best of all, it’s completely free to enter! Help us spread the word by sharing our updates in the coming weeks, and we look forward to seeing you there. For any trader enquiries, please send an email to marketing@zoomevents.co.uk”
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY!
Little Gate Farm Summer Fair Sat 1st July.
Jane and Sarah will be going walkabout in Rye again on Weds July 12th so if there’s something you want to talk to us about drop us an email and we’ll be sure to call in.
Make sure you mark Weds 13th September in your diary, as plans are well underway for our next quarterly event. We have a great showcase planned of our trade and manufacturing businesses from the thriving community on Rye’s industrial parks. Watch this space!
WANTED! Chamber Program Manager. Results from our survey revealed that our members would like access to local workshops and learning opportunities in Rye so if an eager volunteer(s) with experience in organising learning events would like to come forward to take on the programming, it would help us make this service to our business community a reality. Please contact Jane on 01797 222857 or email info@ryechamber.org.
Check out our Spotlight issues this month and follow us on Instagram to watch their accompanying rapid-fire reels!
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