business
development 38
Thames Gateway Chamber of Commerce
Thames Gateway (Kent) Chamber of Commerce is based in the
heart of the UK’s largest regeneration area from which it took its
name. The redevelopment zone is undergoing rapid brownfield
site clearance in areas where old industries have died or moved
on and runs from East London, to South Essex and North Kent.
With its headquarters on Medway
City Estate, the membership
stretches from Dartford to
Faversham. The Chamber has
seen many changes in its 115-year
history, with huge North Kent
unemployment problems in the
mid ‘80s.
However over the next 20 years,
more than 80,000 new jobs will
be created with 50,000 homes
being built. Additionally with
Ebbsfleet Station offering regular
daily Eurostar trains to Paris,
Lille and Brussels, it is anticipated
the adjacent business parks will
bring in a lot of interest from
the continent.
Chamber members and executives
sit on most of the strategic
development committees so
members’ interests are heard. This
is important to ensure the transport
infrastructure goes into the new
developments correctly. By working
closely with three local authorities
who in turn have a member on each
of the chamber’s regional councils,
there is the opportunity for the
area’s future sustainability plans
to be examined in detail.
Members’ have also been involved
in clearing the Olympic site at
Stratford. These contract
opportunities are helped along by
the participation in the Jigsaw Club
helping members receive templates
for ISO9001, Equal Opportunities
and Ladder regulations to name a
few. Members can then receive daily
emails from Supply.Gov which lists
all the main procurement contracts
for the area.
The diverse large and small
companies on the chamber’s books
are keen to display at the annual
business exhibitions. Networking
is strong and events are frequently
sold out. Extensive in-house
training is also offered in the
form of small business forums,
employment workshops and
seminars which prepare companies
for new business opportunities.
The Safer Business Parks scheme
which is being piloted by the
chamber has been set up to make
the parks safer from intruders and
create a better community spirit.
This year sees the Young Chamber
Initiative getting off the ground
giving youngsters a taste of business
life giving them a voice on economic
and global issues especially
transport on the environment.
The chamber recognises that the
fast pace in the South East means
it must react swiftly to change,
but already is being recognised as
one of the most effective business
organisations in the South East.
Contact Tel: 01634 311411
Chief Executive: Tracey Manley
Stirling House,
Sunderland Quay,
Culpepper Close,
Rochester,
Kent
ME2 4HN
www.thamesgatewaychamber.org
The planned villages for Ebbsfleet Valley