Achievements of 2013-2014

Brentford is growing fast, with plans for the regeneration of areas to the west and east of the town, as well as to the High Street already well advanced. On a larger scale plans for changes to the Golden Mile and to public transport links will have an enormous effect on Brentford. The potential for businesses of all kinds and sizes is very exciting and Brentford Chamber of Commerce is at the heart of everything that is happening in the town.

Over the last 12 months the Chamber has been extremely active representing Brentford and encouraging enterprise and development in our part of West London. Our President, Susie Betlem, has spoken in favour of the plans for the regeneration of Lionel Road, and the Chamber has also been deeply involved in the consultations taking place over the proposed developments in Commerce Road and the south side of the High Street. We are enthusiastic about the potential for business which these plans represent but we have been campaigning on behalf of our members, along with other groups, to ensure that the development is appropriate for all parties in Brentford, remembering the needs of the residents.

In recognition of the constant dialogue needed over current and future developments in Brentford over the coming years, Brentford Chamber is developing a deeper and louder relationship with Council Officers, particularly those involved in regeneration and planning, to make sure that Brentford’s business needs are heard. We are also responding to public consultations on planning and other matters on behalf of our members.

Susie was invited by Mary Macleod MP as a representative of Brentford business to meet David Cameron when he visited Brentford town to talk about the challenges they face and what more could be done by central government to help them.

And it is not just about supporting existing businesses, but helping new ones emerge and thrive. In order to encourage young entrepreneurs, we launched Brentford’s own “Brentford Dragons’” in partnership with UWL. We have now held three events at which groups of young people have had their ideas for new businesses scrutinised and judged by a panel of local business people. We have also set up a mentoring project whereby people considering setting up in business in Brentford can access advice from those already running similar businesses in the area.

In conjunction with Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, Brentford Chamber is also holding regular convivial lunches at Siracusa Restaurant followed by excitement on the pitch at Griffin Park at a discounted rate.

And of course, we continue to run free monthly networking events, hosted by a range of local businesses across the local area, where our members and guests can get together and exchange news and ideas.

If you run a business in Brentford or are thinking of doing so, you really can’t afford not to be a member of the Chamber, the voice for commerce in our part of the borough.