Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce is experimenting with a free membership scheme which has already attracted more than 100 businesses and is boosting its lobbying power.
The Plymouth-headquartered organisation, an accredited member of the British Chambers of Commerce, has created a fully-funded introductory scheme which has seen 160 businesses make contact and 106 of them sign up, with talks ongoing with another 50.
The idea was formed in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic outbreak but it is only open until September 30, 2020.
It offers businesses that sign up three months of free support, with the Devon and Plymouth Chamber hoping they will remain as members thereafter.
Chambers in the 海角视频 charge a subscription but membership is voluntary, unlike similar organisations in Germany, Italy and Spain, where companies must join and they are seen as powerful lobbying organisations.
In the 海角视频, Lord Heseltine urged, in a report published in 2012, that the role of chambers of commerce should be enhanced with them given statutory recognition and legal functions and duties.
But this was not taken further and Devon and Plymouth Chamber chief executive Stuart Elford said maintaining a voluntary stance avoided chambers being seen as part of the public sector and retained their apolitical reputation making them a genuine representative of the business community.
But he added: “I still want as many businesses to join as possible, which will allow us to do more for the business community and have a stronger voice.
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The Devon and Plymouth Chamber stressed membership gives businesses the opportunity to be part of the chamber network with access to events, support, international trade advice and networking opportunities.
And with the end of the Brexit transition period just over 100 days away, being part of the chamber offers businesses invaluable insight and support, it said.
Mr Elford, also chair of British Chambers of Commerce South West, said the organisation had noticed how the demand for support from businesses had grown from the start of lockdown in March and how chambers had engaged in “significant lobbying activity” including putting pressure on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to extend the furlough scheme.
“We resolved to help as many businesses as possible,” he said, stressing that by helping member businesses it was bolstering the wider economy, which he said was “critical” at this time.
“The past few months have been incredibly difficult for everyone and we have helped countless businesses survive this challenging period,” he said.
“But we wanted to do something tangible that would help as many businesses as possible succeed as we start to recover and grow again.
“So we offered a fully-funded, three-month trial membership, that’s three months of business support. We now have three months to show the value of belonging to an accredited chamber of commerce.
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“The response to the campaign has been remarkable with dozens of new faces now part of the chamber and experiencing the benefits.
“We want as many businesses as possible to be part of something bigger, so we as a region can emerge stronger.
“This is a fabulous chance to give your businesses access to the tools it needs to grow by being part of the chamber – it comes at no cost to you and there’s only a few days left until the window to apply closes.”
The Devon and Plymouth Chamber has a line-up of events on the horizon in an innovative in-person and hybrid format.
They include the popular City Conversations in Plymouth and the first Access to Finance Expo, to be held at Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park stadium, with an array of experts specialising in finance and investment.