Gainsborough Area Chamber of Commerce - Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, UK

As a Gainsborough Area Chamber member, not only will you have the opportunity to network and inter-trade within the Gainsborough area by attending our many events throughout the year, but as Gainsborough is part of the much larger Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, you will also have access to the many business benefits by using your Chamber member services. 

One of our key objectives is to work closely with the District Council supporting the economic regeneration strategy and many of the partners associated with this. Gainsborough town centre is the catalyst for business regeneration, and subsequently the much needed improvements have impacted positively upon many of the retail outlets. Initially the transition period had been very difficult mainly due to lack of business consultation regarding the road closure whilst the ‘gateway’ to Gainsborough was being redeveloped by the Lincolnshire Highways Department. Our future aim is to anticipate obstacles in advance of adverse impacts by campaigning fervently with our partners to enable a smoother process encouraging business investment with confidence.

Any developments which affect the future sustainability of established business owners are met with opposition. This is understandable; we must make it our ‘business’ to represent and champion causes with a strong voice.

Gainsborough Area Chamber plans many actions, with the first priority being to raise the Chamber’s profile thus increasing and retaining membership so we maintain a consistent presence in the Gainsborough district.

We promote our services at regular networking events and adopt a style that enables business owners to feel we are approachable, accessible and fully equipped to deliver many of the benefits expected by members and the wider community.

We also explore funding opportunities via the bid process.

Shops, factories and professional businesses have worked together for almost a century to make Gainsborough a good place to do business. In the early years, shopping was encouraged by sponsoring the local ferry, which brought many people to this ancient market town, and retailers were helped with a mutual insurance policy for their windows.

Our shopping areas and car parks are protected with Closed Circuit Television Cameras, pioneered by the Chamber, to ensure customer safety and shopkeepers co-operate to eliminate petty crime from out of town through retail radio and other reporting schemes. Tea rooms, pubs and convenient hotels provide a wide range of refreshment and accommodation.

The main traffic free shopping area and Market Square are just two minutes from the prime tourist venue of the Old Hall and from Tesco’s Superstore. One minute from the busy station is the Guildhall and Trent Riverside Whittons Gardens. Independent local retailers like Horsley’s (furniture) and specialist shops are mixed with national companies such as Boots, WH Smith and the regional Lincoln Co-operative Society to ensure every need can be met.

Industry and commerce continues to expand on the industrial estates where local specialisms of world-wide significance include AMP Rose and Regal (packaging machinery), Flexadux (tunnel ventilation), ICO Polymers (plastics packaging) and PING Europe (golfing equipment) who also own the superb Gainsborough Golf Club near the town.

The spectrum of industry now stretches from our agricultural and engineering base (Kerry Group, Dexion Handling and East Midland Instruments) to electronics (Logic Systems Pro-Audio and A O Smith) and modern automotive specialities (Eminox).

The Chamber is a founder member of the West Lindsey Local Strategy Partnership and is closely involved in supporting community activities, our unique Alchemy Social Enterprise Pilot, Local Learning Partnership, encouraging young people to prepare for working lives and older ones to maintain a life of learning.

Chamber members continue to welcome visitors to our town and assist business to develop in every way through training, business networking and close co-operation with all local authorities and the British Chamber of Commerce.

Contact the Chamber on 01522 523333 or use our online form for more information.