Knaresborough Chamber of Trade says thank you for vital support

The Knaresborough Chamber of Trade has been forced to hold another meeting after their annual general meeting was inundated with support.
Steve Teggin outside his business on High Street Knaresborough, Teggins HairdressersSteve Teggin outside his business on High Street Knaresborough, Teggins Hairdressers
Steve Teggin outside his business on High Street Knaresborough, Teggins Hairdressers

After the chamber faced the threat of complete closure the Knaresborough Post rallied to help the committee secure the numbers it needed.

Now, having held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) to recruit more members and interested parties, the committee has thanked the paper for all its support.

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Acting President, Steve Teggin said: “I’m absolutely delighted, thanks to your help and the paper’s help and the publicity, people have now realised how the chamber of trade is vital to the running of things and the trade in Knaresborough.

“We have a good number of people on the committee and a support group so it’s just going to be a totally different chamber of trade now.”

With a turnout of approximately 40 people and many local issues to discuss, Steve said there wasn’t enough time to properly enrol people as committee members.

As a result, the chamber has arranged a second meeting on Thursday March 24 at 6pm at Teggin’s Hairdressers to officially enrol new members and welcome any additional support.

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Steve said: “On the evening of the AGM it was such a success that we didn’t have time to get everyone signed up to the committee roles so we decided to have a meeting so that everybody can get enrolled.

“We have got a full committee now and we have got a number of people in town that want to go on our volunteer support group so we have got numerous people turning up on that night as well.

“Both current members and people who what to join the volunteer support group can all come on the night.” But the AGM was also an opportunity to dive straight into some of the town’s pressing issues.

Traders, members and townspeople discussed topics including the town’s hanging baskets, town maps, chamber representation at town council meetings and the decline of the Christmas Fayre.

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Concerned about dwindling numbers to the festive fayre which had previously been beneficial to town trade, the chamber committed themselves to improving it.

Steve said: “Since we lost the Edwardian theme interest has dropped.

“Knaresborough was one of the first towns to do a Christmas fair and a lot of towns have done similar things now and a big problem is a lot of the most attractive stalls go to the bigger and better markets.

“So little Knaresborough doesn’t maybe look as attractive as Harrogate so we are going to approach the nice stalls and tempt them to come to our market by giving them special offers.”

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The chamber are also looking at working with Knaresborough Lions to reinstate the Edwardian theme at the fayre as well as setting up their own website to provide visitors to the town with general information.

If you are interested in attending the second meeting of the chamber on Thursday March 24, contact Steve Teggin at [email protected]