Market Drayton chamber faces axe over lack of support

Market Drayton Chamber of Trade and Commerce will close if nobody comes forward to take over the running of it, they warned.

The chamber, which has been running for more than 20 years and currently has between about 30 and 40 members, has organised the town's medieval damson fair in the last couple of years.

If Market Drayton Chamber of Trade and Commerce was an organisation which contributed nothing to the town, then the prospect of it folding would be a sad sign of the times but otherwise not of great import.

However, the chamber and its members are do-ers and have been at the heart of organising the town's medieval damson fair, the Shopwatch and Pubwatch schemes in the town, as well as the Christmas market.

Alas, like so many other organisations, it is finding that membership is dwindling and it needs more support if it is to continue. What you tend to find in the really successful groups is that they have a core of enthusiastic, motivated and committed people.

The Market Drayton chamber has been one of those which has really got stuck in. There is, however, a limit to what can be done if the numbers are not there. Its demise would mean a useful voice would be lost for Drayton's business community. The town as a whole would suffer through the loss of those things the chamber has organised.

Should it fold, how long will it be before people in Market Drayton are saying: "What this town needs is a strong, vibrant, chamber of trade."?

The fair attracted up to 9,000 people in its first year and replaced the town's carnival, which was cancelled following the 2012 event.

The chamber has also helped organise the successful Shopwatch and Pubwatch schemes.

Mark Whittle, chairman of the group, said it is closing for a three-month period, and if nobody comes forward during that time it will close for good.

Despite having between about 30 and 40 members, not enough of them go to the meetings, he said.

"After the three-month period, if no more interest is found in the chamber of trade, we will formally close it," Mr Whittle said.

"If we can find people who wish to take on the chamber we will be delighted to meet with them.

"If somebody takes over it, they can take over the Shopwatch and Pubwatch schemes.

"All members of the Pubwatch and Shopwatch schemes are members but none attend meetings.

"We had about 35 attend meetings not six months ago on a number of occasions. When there are problems to solve it is packed, but when people are happy it is like a desert.

"At the moment two people are running it and two people cannot run the chamber of trade."

Mr Whittle said he would be disappointed if it closed and it would be a blow to the town.

"I would be a bit gutted. I would be upset because of the amount of work that goes in," he said. "There are lots of members who do lots of work. We have already announced we would not be running the medieval fair this year.

"The town will lose the Christmas market that we put on. There are two Victorian markets we run which will not happen.

"My main concern is keeping Shopwatch and Pubwatch running."

Mr Whittle added: "We can't just close the doors right away so we agreed on this three-month shut down period.

"There will need to be a clean slate with all the books intact.

"There is money in the bank and we will hand that over to whoever might come forward to take it on.

"But if no one does, the money that is leftover will be donated to whichever local charity we can find."