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
WPCC You Tube Channel - Lockdown Stories
For more videos follow Craig on our Facebook page.
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
Business Success Programme from Dorset Growth Hub
Do you want to give your business the best chance of success and (virtually) meet other new business owners in Dorset to extend your network? Then register for a FREE place on this Business Success Programme - Webinar, covering business planning, developing your...
Dorset Growth Hub Grants
Small Growth Grants DGH has launched Small Growth Grants for Dorset businesses with ambitions to grow. Applicants will need to demonstrate that they have traded successfully for at least 12 months and now have plans for a project that will facilitate business...
The Queen’s Award for enterprise applications
Queen's Awards for Enterprise - applications open The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of: innovation international trade sustainable development promoting opportunity through social mobility If you win...
Eat Out To Help Out
Sign up to Eat Out to Help Out The Eat Out to Help Out scheme is designed to incentivise customers to dine-in at your business by giving them a discount, which you can then claim back from the government. The scheme is UK wide and customers will be able to see who is...
Icons for business use in shops and offices
Icons for business use You can download the following icons to print and display to customers, the images are free to use for your own messaging. Download as a PDF: Attention icon to download Contactless payment icon to download Female mask icon to download Male mask...
Domestic Abuse Workshops for business
Good afternoon, my name is Andy and I work for You First. We provide support and training for those experiencing and fleeing from, Domestic abuse. Part of our work is providing free Domestic Abuse Workshops to businesses and the local community, "Dragonfly...
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