Business bosses' aim to re-market Marlow (From Bucks Free Press)

Business bosses' aim to re-market Marlow

10:10am Friday 28th August 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(6)

BUSINESS leaders are set to roll out what they say is a trailblazing scheme to make Marlow the best shopping destination around.

A new marketing strategy for the town, under the working title 'the Marlow experience', has been devised by the Marlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

Staff from companies who decide to join will be given a code of conduct and customer service training as business bosses aim to make Marlow stand out of the consumer crowd.

The 60 year-old organisation, which represents around 100 businesses in and around Marlow, believes it is unique.

Executive member Tony Light has been putting together the proposal with chamber president Andy McCready and vice-president Annie Mulady.

Mr Light said: “No other town has done anything like it before. So many towns are sitting back and letting the recession swamp them but Marlow is working hard and the chamber is productive.

“We are trying to stet a standard and say that if we come to Marlow we will have a much nicer time than going somewhere else.

“It will grow and there could be more initiatives that come from it. It's a combination of effort being made by the chamber and a determination to keep the town at the forefront.

Mr Light said: “The message is that the businessmen of Marlow are determined to improve the future of the town rather than looking for a handout from the government.”

He added:“The story is here's the town that wants to go the extra mile.”

The chamber said it was disappointed not to have been part of a Wycombe District Council led scheme to boost business.

A loyalty card for shops in High Wycombe town centre form part of plans for the £585,000 business improvement grant handed out by the government to help fight the recession.

Around £164,000 will go to High Wycombe Town Centre Partnership.

Marlow Businessmen spoke out when plans were revealed for the cash injection, saying the town had been 'excluded'.

However, the chamber said it was hopeful its new marketing plan would be a success.

Ms Mulady, who provides leadership training through her business Mulady Solutions, will run the customer service workshops.

Participating companies will take an induction course designed to refresh retail skills.

Ms Mulady said: “Sometimes people can get stuck in a rut and a workshop such as this will bring in new skills.”

Training will take place in September.

A formal launch of 'the Marlow experience' will take place on Saturday September 19.

If your business is interested in becoming part of the scheme contact Marlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

http://www.marlowchamber.com/