New forum for Ramsbottom businesses

Reporter: Ask Bury
Date online: 27/02/2007

Support for forming a new Business Forum in Ramsbottom was evident last week when more than 30 Ramsbottom Businesses met with council officers and ward councillors to agree a strategy for tackling issues affecting local businesses.

Businesses attending the meeting agreed that there was a need to get together to represent business interests and presented the council team, which consisted of the town centre coordinator, environmental projects officer, tourism development officer and area board co-ordinator with a wide range of issues which were causing them concern.

Businesses were given information about how to improve links with the council through area boards and area tasking teams which provide an opportunity for businesses to raise issues of concern.

The group discussed the town centre markets, car parking, vandalism, antisocial behaviour and litter and the need to raise the profile of Ramsbottom. Officers and councillors have now agreed to set up a smaller working group to liaise with the town centre co-ordinator to tackle the problems raised. The aim is to identify a business representative from each street who can improve communication between the council and town centre businesses. 

 
A Chairperson has yet to be agreed and Liz Gillan asked that anyone interested in fulfilling this role contact her prior to the next meeting.   Future meetings will be announced in the local press and through direct mail.

Liz Gillan, Bury Council’s Town centres co-ordinator said: "I was pleased to see such a good turn out from the business community here in Ramsbottom showing support for the formation of a business group.  An active business forum will help businesses to tackle issues with one voice, and promote Ramsbottom Town Centre.  It is important that businesses have an opportunity to get involved in activity and issues that affect the town."

Anyone requiring further information about the group should contact Liz Gillan by e-mail at implementation@bury.gov.uk