We’ve sent a letter to Brendon Walsh, Director Regeneration, Economic Development and Environment on the need for a waterside strategy in Brentford:

I am writing on behalf of Brentford Chamber of Commerce to firmly support the letter (ref BCC761) recently sent to you by Brentford Community Council urging for a waterside infrastructure.

Brentford Chamber has several members who either work with boats, on boats or live in them and all who live in Brentford respect the added value that the waterside gives us as community.

Following the adoption of the Local Plan last year, Hounslow Council have to review that part dealing with the Great West Road. Brentford Chamber responded to the Issues Consultation which asked about wide issues such as the extent of the area involved in this review (currently including all of Brentford) and areas for employment. Please see BrentfordTW8.com’s introduction to the consultation.

Although the deadline has passed we would still encourage members to respond to this consultation and put our own below. Do please feed back your thoughts. Our response should be read in conjunction with The Issues Consultation (pdf).

Nick Kilby, director of teapigs, moved his business and then his home to Brentford, joining Brentford Chamber and then its executive. He describes what membership has done for him:

teapigs has been a member of BCC for 18 months and in that time we’ve enjoyed many business benefits, met lots of lovely people and feel a much greater part of the Brentford community, both business and personal.

Our teas are served and sold in a number of local businesses mostly fellow members of BCC.

Councillor Guy Lambert, who is a Brentford Chamber member representing Thames Bank Credit Union writes a weekly diary for BrentfordTW8 on his council activities. Last week’s refers to his meeting with us:

In the evening, up to the Novotel to meet with Brentford Chamber of Commerce. The main discussion was about revival of the Brentford Dragons events which have provided a stimulus to young entrepreneurs over the last year or three, and the role a few of us have volunteered to take on as business mentors. We went on to talk about the strains local businesses are feeling and the great work being led by the Chamber and its president Suzie Betlem to alleviate them by working together and trying to buy goods and services locally, and of the role the council could play to support – and the fact that the council is often seen by business as the opposite of supportive.