Businesses in Poole have thrown their weight behind a campaign to create a pan-Dorset network of chambers of commerce to fight the county’s corner.
Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has been spearheading the push to unite business groups to give them a stronger voice locally, regionally and nationally.
Now Poole Chamber of Trade and Commerce has joined the alliance by becoming the fourth organisation to become affiliated so far.
It follows hot on the heels of Broadstone, Weymouth and Portland and Dorchester to sign up.
With Poole’s membership number approaching 100, it brings the combined might of the chambers to nearly 1200 businesses.
DCCI chief executive Ian Girling signed the agreement with Poole president Roger Williams after a jointly hosted lunch at the RNLI headquarters in Poole.
Ian stressed that the county and town chambers were not in competition and could achieve success by becoming closer.
He said: “I want us to work together to create a really good environment for businesses in Dorset to trade and be successful.
“The role of the town chambers is vital, it is essential to provide a framework for business.
“We work at different levels. We can come together and collectively be a very strong voice for the business community.
“It doesn’t mean that the chambers are diluted. The town chamber will continue with its role and have its identity and we will do the same.
“It gives us a far greater opportunity to come together in certain areas, speak as one voice for businesses across the county and really raise the profile of businesses in Dorset.”
Roger added: “We are very pleased to affiliate with the DCCI.
“It will give us a bigger voice, a greater opportunity to do things and we are delighted to join the alliance.
“It will enable us to extend our networking, gain more associates, members and business colleagues.”
The affiliation movement will also give county chambers a louder voice to represent business locally, regionally and nationally.
Benefits for Poole include access to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) survey, input to the new DCCI Business Pulse survey and a quarterly forum, annual policy meetings and events, subscription to the DCCI e-newsletter, attendance at some events at DCCI member prices and access to DCCI training at member rates.
DCCI, the voice of business in Dorset with more than 750 members representing 37,000 employees, is the only county chamber accredited by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).
