New president of Uckfield Chamber of Commerce is chartered accountant and insolvency practitioner Fiona Monson.
Fiona, who works for Armida, was elected at the Chamber’s AGM on Thursday, March 27, and takes over from David Marshall, a director at Dawson Hart solicitors.
Two treasurers were elected, Richard Page from the NatWest Bank, and James Duggan from chartered accountants Simmons Gainsford.
Mr Marshall who was president for two years said he had hugely enjoyed the experience.
He was pleased the Chamber had continued to prosper with a membership of more than 200 and praised secretary Ian Blackaller for his role in the Chamber’s success.
Significant events during Mr Marshall’s two years have included the devastating High Street fire, the inaugural Uckfield Business Awards, which are being held again this year, and the news that a car park is to be built at the railway station, a wish of many past presidents.
Mr Marshall said: “The space has been neglected for longer than I can remember and we have had so many false hopes of progress. But now it is happening. It’s tremendous news.”
Earlier in the meeting, held at Pilgrim Hall, Easons Green, Mr Marshall told members that more detail of work to be carried out in the town centre as part of an improvement scheme had been shared last week with the Chamber committee in a presentation by East Sussex County Council.
The railway station car park was a key to making the changes work, with parking times for other car parks to be re-organised to improve access for those coming to the town.
“I have to say the plans do look really good and should improve the appearance of the town though I have reservations about doing away with parking in the High Street and narrowing of the carriageway. It remains to be seen how it works,” said Mr Marshall.
“Work is due to start soon, we don’t have a date yet, though it may be a year before all the parts of the scheme have been finished.”
Mr Marshall reported that a challenge in the High Court against Wealden District Council’s decision to bring in a restriction on development within seven kilometres of the Ashdown Forest had failed, with the result that the restrictions would remain in place.
“We have been told many times about the negative effect this causes to development which is detrimental to many businesses in the Uckfield and Crowborough areas, not just to builders but the whole foodchain of suppliers and employees,” he said.
Speakers at the meeting included Christina Ewbank who talked about the work of ACES (The Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex). She urged Uckfield Chamber members to take part in a business survey in support of the organisation’s efforts to improve the A27. A link to the survey can be found on the ACES website, www.acesalliance.org.
Jenny Baker from the Uckfield dance and gymwear business Limelight told how she was taking her business on the road so that she could work more closely with schools and clubs. Her High Street shop was to close on Saturday, March 30.
Jackie Girling, manager at Pilgrim Hall, spoke about venue which can be used for weddings, meetings and training, country breaks, courses and events and church weekends and retreats.
Six new members were welcomed to the Chamber. They included: Uckfield Civic Centre, conference and restaurant facilities; Louise’s Kitchen, catering company from Newick; Kay & Pasco solicitors based in Crowborough and Heathfield; Chailey Heritage Foundation, physical disabilities charity from North Chailey; Teambase, office supplies and stationery, Uckfield, and TJN Locks, locksmith from Forest Row.
Anybody interested in joining the Chamber of Commerce is invited to contact secretary Ian Blackaller on 01825 722607 or by email at blackaller@iblackaller.freeserve.co.uk.
The next meeting is due to be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at Wok Inn, Laughton.
