Viva Lewes Issue #123 December 2016

TRADE SECRETS
Clare Crouch
President, Lewes Chamber of Commerce
Tell us about yourself…
I was born in
Firle and moved to
Lewes aged five. I came
to HRS Creative in
1990 as a bookkeeper/
secretary, liked the
creative side and learnt
about graphic design.
It’s been my company
for almost three years.
Tell us about Lewes
Chamber of Commerce… It began in 1935 and
it’s about promoting Lewes as a place for people
to come, stay, eat and shop. We want what’s in
the best interest of the town and what helps to
bring business and revenue here. We currently
have over 80 members.
How long have you been president? I joined
three years ago. In April of this year, I took over
as president from David Clark.
Who does the Chamber represent? We cover
the whole of the Lewes District. Businesses join,
rather than individuals. Some members are sole
traders, others are shops, organisations or businesses
of all sizes. Members include the Lewes
Golf Club, Chestnut Tree Hospice, Cheese
Please and Lewes District Council. Not as many
independent shops as we’d like, but we are now
getting new members every month.
Why should people join? We have the motto
‘don’t just join - join in’ because we are only as
good as our members and their involvement.
People used to think we’re just organisers of
Lewes Late Night Shopping, but we’re more
than that. We run networking events every three
weeks - breakfasts, lunches, ‘meet and mingles’.
People can misunderstand what networking is.
It’s about communication, sharing ideas, getting
to know and trust
people you might want
to work with in future.
We like using venues
which are run by members,
such as Pelham
House Hotel and the
Dorset Arms. We
recently had a talk by
Clive Wilding from the
North Street Quarter,
and we’ve put on free
training in business fire and safety too.
How much does it cost? Charities and not-forprofits
can join from £25 per year; businesses
from £60 up to £100. What you pay depends on
the size of your business. The Chamber is funded
by our membership fees and events we hold, and
run by volunteers who make up the Executive
Committee.
How would you describe Lewes as a business
town? Quirky, strong, independent, interesting
architecturally. A friendly atmosphere when it
comes to doing business here. There are shops
and services in all kinds of unusual spaces and
locations.
What’s happening at Late Night Shopping
this year? Adam from Harvey’s works hard
all year preparing for it. The charity we’ll be
fundraising for is the Chestnut Tree Hospice. As
usual, Harvey’s will have a hog roast. There will
be Morris dancers, Santa in Lewes House, rides,
carol singers, stalls and the town trail to draw
people to the top of town.
What’s your favourite part? Mrs Clark’s mince
pies. And how social it is.
What do you most like about Christmas? It’s
nice to get some time off! Emma Chaplin
president@leweschamber.org.uk / leweschamber.co.uk
Photo by Emma Chaplin
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