Ring Out The Old …
The Leatherhead & District Chamber of Commerce would like to take this final opportunity in 2002 to convey best wishes to all of its Members for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Our thanks to you all for your continued and valued support throughout this year ~ in particular to those Members who have served on the Board of Directors on behalf of us all ~ and we hope that everyone who has attended and contributed to the success of Chamber functions throughout the year has enjoyed and benefited from them.
We look forward to maintaining … with your backing … our aims of continuous enhancement of Leatherhead and its attractiveness to businesses of all sizes and types; Members' awareness of key local issues; representation of Members' views; promotion of Leatherhead for new business set-ups and recreational visiting; and enhancement of retail and services business levels in the Leatherhead district ~ especially for those businesses and traders within the town centre for whom this has been such a difficult and worrying year.

We very much hope that our Members will enjoy Success, Good Fortune and Prosperity throughout the Year 2003

Seasonal Greetings To You All

Leatherhead Town Centre & District

Remembrance Tribute
Bruce Andrews, our Chamber President, attended the Memorial Service at Leatherhead Parish Church on Sunday, 10th November, and afterwards laid a wreath on behalf of the Leatherhead Chamber of Commerce during the Remembrance Ceremony at the Leatherhead War Memorial.

Yuletide Leatherhead
David & Sylvia Sharland have once again worked incredibly hard to organise the display of decorated and lit Christmas Trees throughout Leatherhead Town Centre for the 2002 Christmas Season. At the end of a trading year which has been blighted by the Phase II works, this year's festive display has been especially welcomed by traders and businesses … there are more trees adorning the town than ever before ! ~ and will, we hope, encourage local residents and visitors into the town during December … to discover anew the shopping, entertainment and business amenities in Leatherhead.

Our warmest thanks go to David and Sylvia, as always, for their fine efforts on behalf of us all ~ and our very best wishes to them both for Christmas and the New Year.

Parking & Phase II
Linda Bromley, Chamber Secretary, wrote to Councillor Dickson on 30th September regarding a meeting of the Environmental Committee which would discuss the plan to cut maximum-stay to 3-hour short-term parking in central Leatherhead. The letter acknowledged that there would be a flood of objections to the proposals, and set out a number of ideas for utilising various sites to mitigate the situation for long-term parkers. Due to the large number of expected objections, an enquiry was to be held to discuss the plans further. Linda asked in her letter for feedback on her suggestions, and also requested to be kept informed of further developments. Thus far, the Chamber has not received word, but will keep Members up-to-date with the situation as soon as we have news to report.

Linda also attended a meeting at The Theatre on October 24th, to which traders had been invited, and pressured Roger Archer-Reeves of SCC to give a date by which the town centre would be tidied for Christmas trading. It was expected that, within ten days of the meeting, barriers would be removed (particularly from in front of Pimms), portable cabins would be taken away, and the fountain area would be covered with a walking-surface ~ but as this Newsletter goes to print, these actions have still not been taken ! It is to be hoped that these measures will have been actioned by 14th December, the day of Leatherhead's Christmas Festival!

Not happy to let the matter rest there, Linda was once again present at an evening meeting on 6th November at the Letherhead Institute. Chaired by Chamber Director John Howarth, the meeting was attended by representatives of the key "stakeholder" groups in Leatherhead: The Leatherhead Chamber; Disability Action Group Leatherhead; Leatherhead AHEAD; Leatherhead & District Countryside Protection Society; Leatherhead Community Association and Leatherhead Society. Letters outlining the objective of the meeting, and the proposed course of action for the Councils unanimously agreed by those present, were sent to Heather Kerswell MVDC and Paul Coen SCC on 11th November, undersigned by a representative of each group. We will report on the responses when they have been received.

Rates Relief Update
As published in your September Newsletter, and notified to Members located in central Leatherhead via personal mail, the Chamber is sponsoring Hurst Warne Ltd to apply for Rates Relief on behalf of those Members who have been adversely affected by the town centre development. Non-members were also invited ~ via flyers hand-distributed throughout the town centre by the Chamber's Directors ~ to take advantage of Hurst Warne's expertise at a lower-than-norm rate. Nick Smith, of Hurst Warne, reports that he has lodged around 13 appeals from both Members and non-members responding to the company's very generous offer to undertake rates relief applications on their behalf ~ and also points out that where Hurst Warne has lodged appeals, the ratepayer's position is protected, so that any reduction ultimately achieved will be for the full duration of the works, since commencement.

Unfortunately, the District Valuers office, who deal with such applications, are handling a high volume of ongoing, existing appeals ~ and may, therefore, not get around to dealing with these submissions for some months. However, as soon as Hurst Warne has entered into discussion and negotiation with the District Valuers, all parties will be kept informed of progress ~ and, in the interim, numerous photographs have been taken to fully record the ever-changing state of the town centre. Nick also reminds us that there are probably still a number of badly-affected traders who may not yet have taken any steps to protect their position ~ worth noting, given that works are still ongoing, long after the original completion dates promised ! For further information on lodging an appeal, please contact: Nick Smith, Hurst Warne Ltd, 323 Kingston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7TU, Telephone: 01372 360190.

Members News

New Members
The Chamber extends a warm welcome to our new Members ~ we hope they enjoy the benefits of Membership, and we look forward to meeting them at future Chamber events.

Halcyon Office Ltd …
Became Members during October ~ and are providers of luxury serviced office space in Leatherhead Town Centre. For further information, please contact Halcyon's Managing Director, Jonathon Rowley, on Telephone: 01372 224001. You can also write to: Devonshire House, 66 Church Street, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8DP ~ alternatively, you may prefer to contact Jonathon via Facsimile: 01372 224731 or Email: j.rowley@pro-performance.co.uk

AGM/Autumn Reception & Swap Shop
Held on 26th September, in the Panelled Dining Room at Fetcham Park House, the AGM was both a lively and interesting meeting, taking place prior to the Reception. The Chamber President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Directors were nominated and elected ~ Bruce Andrews, Chamber President, made his Address, the Annual Statement of Accounts was presented by Paul McWhirter, Chamber Treasurer, and topical issues were debated. The Minutes of the Meeting have been enclosed along with your Newsletter. The Autumn Reception & Social, held in the Shell Room afterwards, was well attended by a gathering which included Chamber Members and representatives of local and central government, as well as other local organisations. As always, the buffet provided by Harringtons Bakery was excellent, and received many compliments ~ our thanks to Harringtons' Proprietor (and re-elected Chamber Director), David Harrington. Also sourced from one of your re-elected Directors was the wine ~ and our thanks this time go to Mike Menni, of Wing Cleaners. We hope those Members who attended these events enjoyed them ~ thank you all for your valued support.

Each of the above functions was sponsored by Parallel Business Centres ~ and the Chamber is most grateful to Parallel and the management team at Fetcham Park House for a very successful evening.

The 2nd "Business Card Swap Shop" took place on the 7th of November at Metro Café, The Theatre, Leatherhead ~ and we hope that those of you who attended this informal gathering enjoyed it as an opportunity to get to know fellow Members and increase your local business contacts. The Swap Shop concept was launched in the spring of this year for Members only, and we hope that these low-key, pop-in-after-work gatherings will gain in popularity, and come to be frequented and enjoyed by the wider Membership community ~ we'd like to get to know you better ! Our thanks must go to Karen Parry, Proprietor of Metro Café, for providing us with the venue ~ and also for keeping us well supplied with wine, accompanied by a very tasty spread !

Christmas Dinner & Dance
Selection menus and venue maps have now been despatched to those Members and their guests who have already joined the Party.

Friday, December 13th is drawing ever closer ~ so, for those Members who've forgotten to make arrangements to celebrate the Christmas season with their Workforce, Colleagues and Clients ~ and, of course, Family & Friends are welcome too ~ here's a brief reminder of what you'll be missing if you don't now book your places:

o Welcome Apéritif on arrival at the Chalk Lane Hotel in Epsom from 7.00 p.m.
o Three-Course Dinner, including 1/3 bottle of wine, at 8.00 p.m.
o Dancing to Harmer's Discotheque
o Cash Bar until Midnight
o Charity Raffle
o Carriages at 12.30 a.m.

~ which all adds up to a wonderful evening which will "Switch on the Lights" for the Party Season ~

Telephone the Chamber Office on 01372 371009 NOW if you want to be sure of your business taking part in this Festive Night Out !

Fund-Raising Christmas Lunch
The Surrey Chambers-Guildford Christmas event always provides an excellent opportunity to say "thank you" to staff and clients, as well as rewarding yourself. As usual, there will be fund-raising activities to support a local charity ~ this year for fellow Leatherhead Chamber Members Queen Elizabeth's Foundation. The event is sponsored by PKF, and is taking place at Clandon Park on Wednesday, 11th December from 12.00 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. The price is £35 (members) and £42 (non-members), and places can be booked via Rosemary Pullen, Surrey Chambers-Guildford, Pembroke House, Mary Road, Guildford GU1 4QU, Tel: 01483 889889, Fax: 01483 889887 ~ or, alternatively, visit www.surrey-chambers.co.uk or Email: info@surrey-chambers.co.uk.

Office to Let
Being offered by a fellow Member: 100 sq. ft. approx. (1, or 2 people max). Located in Ashtead. Ample parking nearby. Clean and refurbished, complete with new Crescent Desk and Chair. Free use of coffee point. Pleasant informal atmosphere. Only £65 per week plus VAT all in.

Contact: Nick Hoskins at Corporate Office Supplies Ltd ~ Glebe House, Glebe Road, Ashtead KT21 2NU ~ Tel: 01372 270112, Fax 01372 270113 or e-mail:Nick@care4free.net.

Storage Space Required
The Chamber is still in need of some secure outdoor space ~ as reported in your last Newsletter ~ in which it can erect a shed to store market equipment. Please do contact the Chamber office if you have a suitable area which you'd be happy to rent-out for this purpose.

Don't Discard Your Empty Cartridges
Rather than discarding the empty cartridges from your laser or inkjet printer, fax machine or photocopier, you could register for ITP's Empty Cartridge Collection Scheme in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity. Simply pop your used cartridges back into their original box (or other suitable container), and when you have saved up 10 of them, call the ITP Group Cartridge Collection Hotline, and they'll be collected, free of charge, within a few days.

For further information on joining this scheme and helping to raise funds for Great Ormond Street, contact ITP at International Technology Products (UK) Ltd, Unit 1, Stadium Way, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire RG30 6BX, Tel: 0118 943 8001, Fax: 0118 943 9001, Email: info@itp-group.com, Web Site: www.itp-empties.com.

Letters to the Editor

Members Soapbox
(Have your say ! How can the Chamber help you and your business ? We would welcome your feedback. Pick up your pen in time for the January 2003 Newsletter.)

In the last issue of Soapbox, Nick Hoskins questioned the validity of the York video shown at the public meeting chaired by Professor Whitelegg at The Theatre, better known as the Thorndike.

Nick raised the issue again at the Chamber AGM in September. Nick and I discussed it at the reception which followed the AGM and we both agreed to disagree on the subject.

For the benefit of other Members I would point out that it was never my intention to suggest comparing Leatherhead with York. However, the video did demonstrate similarities with the Leatherhead situation. It showed how consultation played a large part in the success of refurbishing York City. It showed that all parties should be considered and, more importantly, consulted. Residents, shoppers, visitors, pedestrians and car drivers should all be considered at the outset. It showed the importance of good signage and the need to market the town, produce good literature, directions to areas such as car parks, libraries, museums and civic offices.

It demonstrated the importance of talking to the people who use the town to get their opinions, to creating pride in the town and giving a welcome at the town's gateways, where visitors gain their first impressions of the town.

I am sorry that Nick did not see the side I tried to portray. I feel that the video displayed valid points. Nick was right to raise his objections. It is good that we do not always agree with each other - this can only be good for Leatherhead. Maybe one day we will not need to show videos and hold public meetings. We would all like Leatherhead to get back to being one of the more vibrant towns in Mole Valley. Until then we must all do what we feel is right for the future of our town.

(Bruce Andrews - Swan Centre Management)

Members Spotlight
(An opportunity to publicise your organisation to the Membership. Two profiles will be presented in each Newsletter, copy approximately 250 words. Contributions are published in order of receipt. Your next Newsletter will be printed in January 2003.)

CORPORATE OFFICE SUPPLIES LTD
Many Chamber members will use a well known Mail Order House for their stationery and office supplies.

This Nordic named American company is brilliant at marketing and its ability to convince customers that they offer excellent prices. In fact they are believed to have in excess of 40 price lists and it is understood that the more the customer buys the higher the price. The Sale catalogue can be a misnomer. On two occasions we have found Sale prices in the Sale catalogue quoted higher than in the Annual catalogue; which offers, in the main, minimal discounts.

We at Corporate Office provide quality products, delivered on time, at the right price. For General Office and IT Supplies, Furniture, Office Equipment and Equipment Repairs and Hire we are here to help.

Our philosophy is one of building a business partnership with our clients. That is developing trust and mutual benefit. When it's not in the catalogue we will find it. When you need it today we will do our best to deliver it. At the right price.

Our warehouse in Chessington stocks over 14,000 lines. Our sales office in Ashtead provides personal service where we get to know you and you get to know us by name.

If you feel you would like to receive better service at a lower price then why not call:

Nick Hoskins
Corporate Office Supplies Ltd
Glebe House, Glebe Road
Ashtead, Surrey KT21 2NU
Tel: 01372 270112 ~ Fax 01372 270113
e-mail:Nick@care4free.net

PARALLEL BUSINESS CENTRES
HOW INFLEXIBLE LANDLORDS HOLD BACK YOUR BUSINESS

Entrepreneur:
"I thought I could run my business from home - until I lost a customer when my teenage son forgot to pass on a vital message. Trouble is, small offices are hard to find."

Harassed owner-manager:
"Our premises never seem the right size. Either we are bulging at the seams or I'm paying for wasted space. I'd love to move but this 10 year lease is like a millstone around my neck."

Corporate executive:
"We were supposed to start our strategy meeting at two. But Darren was called away; then Laura had to take an urgent phone call. We could be much more creative if only we could get some peace and quiet but our building has no rooms set aside for meetings."
As these comments show, workplace flexibility is the watchword for modern business. For many years, the property industry ignored this need. Few landlords marketed small units - a portfolio of small tenancies is harder to administer, larger buildings mean larger risks - tenants were burdened with long-term leases and personal guarantees. Today's economy facilitates quick growth - successful companies may require larger premises several times during their early years. But market conditions can change rapidly - leaving growth-structured businesses needing to cut costs urgently.

Parallel Business Centres, operators of Fetcham Park House, are structured to provide flexibility. Traditional leases are replaced with a simple, renewable licence agreement. Established for 10 years, part of a 50-year-old privately owned property business and with their own PR company - Parallel choose each building carefully for its character and quality. Its serviced offices are business hotels. By booking the space needed, only as required - desk spaces by the day, an office suite or conference room - plus a range of ancillary facilities including meeting rooms, reception, telecommunications and computer cabling - businesses minimise their overheads and long-term commitments without compromising on facilities.

Parallel's In Touch service provides the credibility of telephone reception and a business postal address, plus access to the ancillary facilities. As businesses grow, they can move in, without redesigning stationery! Increases or decreases in requirements are accommodated with ease and discretion. Such total convenience and cost-effectiveness means many companies now prefer serviced offices to traditional leased premises.

For further information, please contact ~ Nick Terry, Telephone: 01372 371000