Recently representatives of Alton and Alresford Chambers of Commerce met as part of a drive to build closer links between our two organisations. David Woodroofe is a member of both organisations and sits on both management committees, and it was he that suggested that Alton Chamber could learn from the Alresford Chamber’s town publicity materials.
Alresford Chamber of Commerce produces a bi-annual pocket guide booklet, which is widely distributed in the area to encourage people to visit Alresford. You can download the Alresford Pocket Guide HERE. Alton, by comparison, has a town guide which is bigger and is less focussed upon the needs of people visiting for short periods. We are going to explore the possibilities for Alton in due course, working with Alton Town Council.
Alresford Chamber also produce a ‘diary’ – it’s A4 in size and is intended for local businesspeople and residents to use, advertising local businesses in the process. This too is an impressive production and we will be looking at it as a possibility for Alton.
It is also worth noting that Alresford Chamber organise small Christmas trees to be mounted above the shops in December each year and they have a tent at the Alresford Show to allow its members to exhibit.
Alton Chamber, by comparison, produces calendars, postcards and leaflets in an attempt to encourage visitors to spend money locally. We are always looking for new ways to help the town’s economy and it is very helpful to learn from others who are doing different things to the same end.
The hope is that this meeting will be the first of many, building stronger links between our two towns, our Chambers and our members, as well as jointly working on projects that will help us all. The hope is that similar links can be built with other Chambers in Hampshire to develop connections that will bring benefits in the wider area, as well as in Alton.
