Fast-growing county business Network

AN Oxfordshire-wide business Network has experienced another big jump in membership, and now represents 200 new companies or sole trader businesses.

The Oxfordshire Town Chambers Network (web address: www.otcn.co.uk), has welcomed three new business organisations recently, taking its membership to 24 groups alongside ten events networks. Between them the 24 OTCN member groups now draw together 1,600 businesses.

Monument Park at Chalgrove, home to 80 businesses employing more than 500 people between them, has become the first business park to join the Network. The Oxfordshire Craft Guild, which brings together 70+ selected designers and makers of a wide range of traditional and contemporary crafts, and the 40-member Oxford Association of Hotels and Guest Houses are also now part of the Network.

Their membership means newcomers to the Guild and the Association plus new tenants at Monument Park can benefit from three months? free promotion on the OTCN new member?s page and member/tenant businesses can offer and take advantage of the OTCN member-2-member service. Member organisations can promote their events on the OTCN website and they?ll be kept up to speed with other business benefit initiatives that come through the Network, including promotions, training and environmental improvement opportunities.

OTCN is a communications network bringing together local chambers and other business groups in the county. It is working to promote business in Oxfordshire and aims to support the work of its member organisations and businesses, strengthen links between them, share ideas and best practice, discuss issues and, where appropriate, lobby on behalf of its members.

OTCN Director, John Naish (see picture below), said: ?We are delighted to welcome three new member organisations to our fast-growing Network. Their enthusiasm for becoming part of the Network is especially encouraging in that it demonstrates how we are continuing to widen our appeal beyond the original focus of local town chambers to take in other membership organisations and, now also, business parks.?

Paul Mabbutt, Director of Jennings who own and manage Monument Park, added: ?We have been working closely with OTCN for some time now and are delighted to get the opportunity to link our main business park to the organisation. I?m sure that there will be many ways we can benefit, and look forward to being part of the Network.?

Oxford Association of Hotels and Guest Houses Chairman, Stefan Wynne-Jones, said: ?We?re very pleased to have this opportunity link our member hotels and guest houses into a countywide business organisation. It is an excellent opportunity for our members and we look forward to playing our part in the continued growth and development of OTCN.?

Richard Shock, Chairman of the Oxfordshire Craft Guild, commented: ?The Oxfordshire Craft Guild is delighted to become a member of OTCN. We are looking forward to the chance to gain from the business experience of other members and from the networking opportunities OTCN offers. We also welcome the opportunity to show local businesses the quality and range of crafts being made by our members across the county and hope that mutually beneficial links between makers and business can be developed.?

Photo: L to R: John Naish, Paul Mabbutt, Mike Jennings

20/07/09