Category Archives: News

Thank You from Rowcroft Hospice

We were extremely pleased to receive a letter of thanks from Mark Hawkins, the Chief Executive of Rowcroft Hospice for our work supporting Rowcroft with the recent Gala Dinner.

“I just wanted to thank you for your tireless commitment to supporting Rowcroft with the recent Gala Dinner and the sale of raffle tickets for the Hyundai car.”

He went on to say;

“The amount of organisation and time and effort required to pull this off must have been tremendous. I hear from colleagues it was a wonderful evening and everyone really enjoyed themselves which is so wonderful to hear for a charitable event.”

You can see a copy of the letter by clicking here.

Coffee, Cake & Business Cards – 4th April – 1030 – 1200

https://www.facebook.com/events/2106508156097276/

Click on link to book your tickets

Venue: The Coffee House, 13 Fore St, Torquay    1030 – 12 midday

Brand new for the first Thursday of each month, this is an informal networking meet up for Tea, Coffee and Cake.

Be sure to bring business cards with you and exchange with new contacts each month.

Who doesn’t love a bit of cake just before the weekend?

Just register your place free of charge so that we have an idea of numbers on the day, maybe schedule your meeting to coincide with this and meet other business people at the same time.

Order whatever you like from the menu on arrival and join us for a monthly catch up.

We will also have raffle tickets available to purchase for your chance to win a brand new Hyundai i10 and help raise money for Rowcroft.

Charity Night – Cocktail Masterclass & Networking – 16 May 2019

https://www.facebook.com/events/801701306849901/

Click on link to book your tickets

Venue: Revolution Torquay from 5.30pm

Book your place now for this brand new annual networking event with a twist

Why not take part in our Cocktail Masterclass and become the Cocktail master of 2019.

£25 includes:

Welcome drink on arrival
90 minute Masterclass – Get behind the bar and learn to make the cocktail of your choice with a professional bar tender
Cocktail making competition – Who will win the Cocktail Master Trophy?
15 Places available Maximum
Why not stick around afterwars and join in with Revolutions fun quiz night?

Visit Pennywell Farm – Buckfastleigh, Devon

Come to Pennywell Farm!   A Full Day of Hands on Fun!

Treat your family to Devon’s friendliest day out at multi-award winning Pennywell Farm.
We have a huge variety of friendly farm animals, from the mighty to the miniature, for you to get acquainted with and a different hands on animal activity every half hour.

Miniature ponies, goats, highland cattle, alpacas, deer, ferrets, poultry hedgehogs, tortoises and a whole host of Pennywell pets are waiting to meet you.

Pennywell is home to the world famous Pennywell miniature pigs and is the only place where you can enjoy genuine Pennywell piggy cuddles. If that isn’t enough, every day at 2.30pm you can enjoy the phenomenon that is miniature pig racing and enjoy cheering on your favourite pint-sized porker.

There’s acres of indoor space to picnic and play as well as a commando course, maze, tractor village and toddle play farm. Four farm rides and crazy golf are also included in the admission price.

Put a spring in your step and a smile on your face as you discover why Pennywell Farm is amongst the top 20 farm attractions in the UK, in a list compiled by TripAdvisor Media Group.
New for 2019 is our pig agility course where you can test your own pig training skills. If goats are more your thing, why not grab a lead and take one for a walk; it’s great fun.

You won’t waste a single minute as there is a new hands on activity, show or display every half hour; it’s what Pennywell is famous for!

Every weekend and every day during Devon school holidays, we have two daily shows from one of our fantastic entertainers, plus themed weeks, special events and character days so keep an eye on the website for up to date information and to book tickets:

http://www.pennywellfarm.co.uk

 

Business Networking lunch – 30th April 2019 in Revolution, Torquay

The Torquay Chamber Of Commerce Quarterly Networking Lunch

£12.50 per ticket which includes buffet lunch

We shall be welcoming 2 guests speakers to the event, including Robert Haylor of E3 Digital discussing Social Media for Your Business.   Second speaker is to be confirmed

Buffet Menu includes Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten Free Options

https://www.facebook.com/events/539351829887710/    Click to book tickets

12:00
Arrival & Networking

12:30
Buffet Lunch is Served

13:15
Guests Speaker Robert Haylor

14:00
Guest Speaker (tbc)

Business Protection Masterclass – 27 March 2019 at The Royal Torbay Yacht Club (Free of Charge)

FREE OF CHARGE – Please follow the link (Find Tickets) for booking and quote the reference HR1055 when booking

https://www.facebook.com/events/804863586544212/

Registration from 0930

For Company Directors & Business Owners

This Business Protection Masterclass will cover the latest Employment Law and Health & Safety updates to ensure business owners and directors remain legally compliant, and avoid potentially costly inadvertent mistakes.

We will be discussing some of the key ways you can ensure your business is working at optimal efficiency with efficient HR policies. We’ll be showing you how making sure yours are an exact fit to your business, industry and circumstances will save you time and money long term.

The content will directly influence how to manage managers and all employees in order to maximise profits and minimise costs and risk to the business and directors.

Big Devon March – 20 February 2019 – Old Forde House, Newton Abbot

Venue: Old Forde House, Newton Abbot

From 11am

Please click on the link below and Find Tickets to book

https://www.facebook.com/pg/TorquayChamber/events/?ref=notif

Free networking lunch will be provided on the day. Please let us know of any dietary requirements.

Who is it for:
People within workplaces that have an interest in improving the health and wellbeing of staff and colleagues. Having champions in your workplace really helps to drive a positive and healthy workforce

Event Description:
Big Devon March is a motivating and engaging campaign that nudges us all to build physical activity into our day. Active Devon have a deep understanding of how behaviour change principles can make a difference to changing people’s habits to lead a more active lifestyle. This exciting event will provide an opportunity for people to come together, become a workplace champion and launch the Big Devon March campaign.

You will:

· Learn about the campaign, tips and tools to bring the campaign to life in your workplace

· Hear from Active Devon about how small changes can make big differences for colleagues

· Hear from Travel Devon how they can help your workplace get more active through active travel

· Get your all important Big Devon March champion pack which include free resources and incentives for you and your team

· Be inspired and get involved with demonstrations on how to combine activity at work

· Networking opportunity with other organisations across Devon to learn and share best practices

 

TCC Chairman’s Report

Chairman’s Report – 28 January 2019

Since the incorporation of the Chamber in 2017, and the election of Directors, The Chamber has been quietly working together in an attempt to deliver our remodelled mission statement of 2018

* To Increase membership of the Chamber; we had 12 members when I was elected in 2015, we have now 53 and a contact list of an additional 47
* To support the town’s stakeholders in promoting investment and encouraging business growth; which we have done
The Aims of the Chamber will continue to be in 2019:
* To work in partnership with Town stakeholders to support investment and growth
* To promote the Town at every opportunity through all available media sources
* To provide businesses with the opportunity to network and encourage inter-business trading
* To become the voice of local businesses, and give members the opportunity to express their views
* To signpost businesses to relevant advice and support
* The Directors have met on a fairly frequent basis to discuss matters, but tend to communicate via email /text and Whatsapp to save us all time
* A lot of time was spent in the Spring and Summer in an attempt to support the retailers on the Strand, and working with Pam Woods of the ASB team and Tara Fowler, we achieved some modest success
* Negotiated a more robust insurance cover for the Assets of the Chamber and a D&O policy, which will be reviewed annually
* Worked with the Harbour authority and jointly promoted the retailers and restaurants around the Harbour area, for the Cruise ships and the visitors using the harbour
* Attended numerous meetings regarding the Torquay Town Centre regeneration proposals
* Attended meetings re the Mayors Forum
* Promoted the use of the catenary wires for the Retailers to advertise “Free events “ with modest success ; negotiate with Kier a package to include installation as well as hire, and this is now more streamlined and advertised on the website
* Worked with the BBC TV and Radio to promote the retailers in Torquay
* Visited with other Directors the Torwood Street site
* Visited with other Directors the proposed redevelopment site at Slador
* Held several Dementia Awareness meetings, and have another planned already this year at the beginning of February with the Devon Podiatry groups
* All Directors helped in a survey of all members to try and ascertain what particular issues were important to members
* Discussed that networking meetings should be held every other month and members will choose venues
* Directors all worked hard to promote the Christmas lunch and a very successful collection of Christmas boxes were delivered to Shekinah/ Safe space
* I have put my name forward to accompany the Police on a “shift” to try and get a clearer understanding of some of the issues that they face on a daily basis
* Started planning the ideas for Rowcroft and Torbay Hospital, which will be discussed later in the Agenda

Devon Business Show 2019 – Book Your Stand Today

The Devon Business Show is returning on Wednesday 12th June at Plymouth Pavilions, offering exhibitors a chance to connect with a wide range of businesses and visitors.

For 2019, the Devon Business Show will feature exciting new changes to enhance the exhibitor and visitor experience, including:

· New floor plan
· Fantastic new catering
· Business seminars covering a wide range of topics
· A new zone featuring the latest electric and renewable trends ‘Electric Avenue’ sponsored by Citybus Plymouth.

Stands are selling fast and we are offering you the chance to book before it’s sold out.

Don’t delay and book your stand today.

Devon Business Show 2019 – Floor Plan:

https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/944064_4a2c394eee044b55b4e56744cb1a999c.pdf

Booking Form:

https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/944064_31f3e281f0d248d186d54c0a44130098.pdf

Risk Assessment Form:

https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/944064_9cbefc23ae444e02814a164b67ea24ab.pdf

To book your stand, please fill out the application and risk assessment form and send to:

bizshowdevon@devonchamber.co.uk 

Stand availability is on a first come, first served basis.

Torbay Community Governance Review

Torbay Council is undertaking a review as below, and has asked if The Chamber would communicate the details with its members.

 

 Torbay Community Governance Review

Dear colleague,

You may already be aware that Torbay Council is undertaking a Community Governance Review to decide if any changes should be made to local governance arrangements in Torbay. The review will include the consideration of setting up new town or parish councils to represent communities and deliver a range of local services.

Full details on the review can be found on our website at:  http://www.torbay.gov.uk/communitygr

Any new town or parish council would not replace Torbay Council but would exist alongside it, just like Brixham Town Council does now. They will decide what, if any, local services they want to provide to residents and may take over responsibility for services previously delivered by Torbay Council. These may include things like litter-bins, toilets, open spaces, lighting and community centres. The amount they will charge through an additional Council Tax payment (precept) will depend on the number of services they want to provide to their local community.

There could be a larger number of small town or parish councils representing individual areas, parts of Torbay could remain unparished, or we could simply retain the status quo. This review is also an opportunity for the community to comment on any changes that they might like in respect of the existing town council in Brixham.

Please could you forward this email to all your community contacts so we can get the views of all interested people – including local residents, employees, business people, community organisations, statutory agencies and others.

Please complete the survey which can be found at:

http://%20www.torbay.gov.uk/consultation] www.torbay.gov.uk/consultation

by Friday, 15 March 2019.

Torquay Chamber of Commerce Deliver Christmas Boxes to The Shekinah Mission

On Friday, 14th December, the Chair and Directors of the Torquay Chamber of Commerce delivered a large number of Christmas Boxes to the Shekinah Mission in the town centre.  The Shekinah Mission is a homelessness charity which has been working to help socially excluded and disadvantaged people since 1992.

The boxes were donated by the Directors and members of the Chamber, and were gratefully received by the staff and residents of Shekinah.

We wish them all a safe and Merry Christmas.

 

 

Want to advertise Something…..?

Advertise your event with the Chamber of Commerce.

As you will see on our Home page, you can have a banner across the street, which will be seen by thousands!

The cost for a  9m x 1.2 m  banner is  £191.00  and a 9m x 90 cm banner is £148.00

The installation of the banner is  £106.00 + Vat

Customers can choose their own artwork, which will be extra.

For more information, please contact us at chair@torquaychamberofcommerce.co.uk