Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce the voice of the south Dorset business community …
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Doing business in south Dorset
Weymouth and Portland is a thriving coastal area and an exciting place to live and work. The area blends the outstanding natural beauty of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site with easy access to the major conurbation of Poole and Bournemouth, along with a mainline railway service to London.
About WPCC
The Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce is committed to supporting economic growth in Weymouth and Portland by helping to provide an environment in which businesses can thrive.
We exist for the benefit of our members, who range from sole traders to national brands. Our members also include charities and other not-for-profit organisations, such as schools and colleges.
There are around 2,000 businesses in Weymouth and Portland, two thirds of which employ no more than four people.
Events & Meetings
We run a busy calendar of networking, social and training events all year round. The mainstay of our schedule is our Business Breakfast, an extremely popular networking meeting held ten times a year (monthly, excluding January and August). These meetings take place the first Tuesday of the month at various member venues with presentations from sponsors and keynote speakers.
Other activities include Business Tours of member venues, giving local firms the opportunity to share hat they have to offer with other businesses in this fast paced environment. We also hold education and apprenticeship events, along with a variety of social gatherings and trips, including an annual Christmas dinner.
Becoming a member
Becoming a member of the WPCC is a great opportunity for your voice to be heard on some of the most important topics affecting business in our area. Through meetings, website discussions, polls and forums we want to hear what you have to say alongside like minded people in your area.
You’ll be able to receive advice and support from our friendly and welcoming WPCC Executive Committee, and also mentoring and business support.
Help shape the future of Weymouth and Portland!
The voice of business in South Dorset
2021 AGM Amendments
*Dear Chamber Member
We wish you all a Happy New Year and hope you all see your way through this extraordinary time to success in business when economic stability returns.
The Executive of WPCC have had to make some decisions, like many of you, in the light of the situation we find ourselves in.
Due to work circumstance our Vice President Julia Cohen finds she is unable to take on the role of President this year and the Junior Vice Rick Simmonds, though very keen, also has work issues that mean he is not, for the time being based in Weymouth and cannot make a full commitment to the role.
Your Executive proposal is therefore to postpone the 2021 AGM to a time when we hope the full Chamber can meet in person and our future vision is a little clearer, with September being the suggested date.
Unless a current member applies and is voted in, our President Craig Oakes and the Executive have agreed to continue till then, with the proviso that new, willing, Executive members are sought and co-opted from the Chamber membership.
This proposal is open for comment and will be voted on by members at the next General meeting on February 2.
March 1 is the date for membership renewal and following the past years free membership offer, the financial overheads for the running of the Chamber demand that some form of income has to be forthcoming to remain sustainable.
Membership currently stands at a fantastic 200 plus and it is proposed that instead of the normal £99 fee, Chamber membership will be halved to the annual fee of just £49.
We hope you will understand and continue to support your local Chamber which can give you so much support and networking especially in these difficult times. President Craig has worked tirelessly in the past year supporting and talking to so many businesses and groups to help get through this crisis. Please continue to support him in his efforts to help your fantastic business community.
Yours in business; the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce Executive:-
Craig Oakes – Oakes Insure; Rick Simmonds – Verbu; Cherise Luke Bennett – Nantes Solicitors; Brodie Cooke – (Treasurer) Albert Goodman Accountants; Clive Garman – Sherrens/WeyPrint; Nick Spence – Vaspba Remote Pilot Systems; Paul Appleby – Appleby Systems; Meggie Crane – Blanchards Bailey Solicitors; Louise Matthews – Perceptions Marketing; Trevor Matthews – Wessex Film; Alan Cockings – WR Cockings Electrical
Please email to comment or if you wish to join the Executive.
WPCC You Tube Channel - Lockdown Stories
Pesident Craig is out there interviewing members and businesses and finding out about them and how they are dealing with the new working environment.
Chamber Club Card
My fellow Chamber of Commerce Members
This is your exclusive Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce Club Card. We need you to contact Guy at Info@wpchamber.com with an offering. For instance if you are an accountants firm you may wish to offer 10% off or even 5% for other chamber members on production of their Chamber Club Card. You may be a solicitor and you may offer the first billable hour for Chamber Members.
I want to say a really big welcome to the new businesses that now fill our business directory and a fond, “how are you”, to the names that have been members of the Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce for many years. It is amazing to think we are part of a business organisation that began running just after the last major pandemic that threatened our existence happened. Many amazing things have happened in just over 100 years.
Make sure your logo is in the Chamber website ‘Directory’ and if not or you don’t have a logo then please let us know, and we will help you. We usually know a reasonable person.
Why would I want to give something away I hear you say? The reason is, if you are a Chamber member you have an exclusive Chamber Club Card and if all 100 or so members with more joining daily have an offer you will not only never pay full price again just by being a member of the Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce, but more people will be coming to you. What you will lose by discounting or offering time you will easily gain in new customers by volume.
As we come out of this crisis I personally have helped promote the local economy as shops have opened up. I have coordinated with other organisations so that the impact is felt right the way across the borough and although the outcome of our current crisis is not known, this many businesses in one group can work together in a way that no other organisation can.
Craig Oakes
Your President Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce
Our members
Quick news
Harbour plan comments from Chamber Executive
Recently we have been advised that a Major Change is being proposed to an integral part of Weymouth. We advised we would comment and this will go into the Survey below as official. We would also at this time re-request anyone to give your views to the survey at this...
5 minute Business Impact Survey
Covid-19 and Brexit Impacts Survey 2021 As Coronavirus continues to impact the day-to-day operations of businesses across the UK, local Chambers of Commerce stand ready to support you. We have created a range of resources to help address your concerns which can be...
Counselling to get through the tough times
Alison has kindly contacted us to offer some free or low cost time for local businesses who may be struggling. This could be you, just be aware and seek help before things get out of hand. My name is Alison Fox and I have been a practising counsellor, psychotherapist...
Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan – get involved
If you live or work in Weymouth then you can help shape future plans for our area, including housing, businesses and green spaces, by getting involved with the Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan. The plan will develop over the next 2 years through consultation with local...
Peer Network Programme
Businesses that seek external advice or undertake formal training are more likely to improve their overall performance, but many prefer to take advice from trusted sources when presented with external challenges and opportunities. Delivered by Dorset Gateway in...
Donate your old laptops etc to schools
Can you donate unwanted laptops to schools? Members should contact their nearest schools if they have working laptops they no longer need. If you’re in the process of updating your IT equipment and have usable devices, your local school may be able to use them to help...
Testimonials
Nick Spence from Vaspba Remote Piloted ystems Ltd
“I joined the Exec as I felt that I could add to the already broad spectrum of business owners giving vast and varied experience from many sectors. Being on the Exec gives a good insight as to what is going on in the Chamber and the regular meetings gives us a chance to express our views.”
“The WPCC
Trevor Matthews from Wessex Films
“I have been on the Chamber Executive over the years. It is a very good connection for trading and keeping up with the lastest Business developments happening in the local commercial community
WPCC is an excellent organisation to be a member of.”
Executive Officers
Rick Simmonds
Junior Vice President
Craig Oakes
President
Julia Cohen
Vice President
Contact us
Use the form to get in touch with us and ask any questions you might have.
Alternatively, you can call us on 07730 135973.
Opening times:
Mon – Fri
0900 – 1700