Chard Chamber of Commerce

17/03/2026

LETS BRING Market Back to Life! 🌟

New Traders Wanted for Chard Saturday Market!
Chard deserves the vibrant, bustling market it once had – full of life, laughter, and local joy! We’re growing stronger every week and want to make Saturdays the highlight of the town again.
We already have a fantastic lineup of dedicated traders who are smashing it:

🍰 Bake Box – A new but hugely popular gem! Their incredible bakes sell out fast thanks to their hard work and our amazing community support. Sweet treats heaven!

🥬 Tony – Our long-time local legend and fruit & veg king! With the gift of the gab and years in Chard, he’s a real crowd-pleaser. Need advice on the best produce? Tony’s your man!

👕 Tam & His Mum – A true family tradition! Tam’s been part of the market since he was a little lad (his dad ran it before him). He brings clothes, dog beds, pillows, smoking accessories, and loads more. His mum runs her own beauty tent – perfect for getting those eyebrows on fleek! 💅

🍩 Dough Bros – Well-known for their gorgeous doughnuts in a huge range of flavours. Lovely lads serving up pure indulgence!

🐄 Paul – The man with more meat than most! Fresh burger patties, sausages, and plenty of other goodies. He also takes private orders (especially around Christmas) – just ask, he’s always happy to help.

We’re building a market with real variety – exactly what the people of Chard want! Food, treats, fresh produce, clothing, beauty, household bits, and more.
If you’re a trader with something special to offer (new ideas welcome!), come join us and be part of the revival. You won’t regret it – the community is warm, supportive, and ready to shop local

Get in touch today!�
Email: [email protected]

Let’s pack the streets, support our town, and make Chard Market thrive again. See you on Saturday? 🚀

07/02/2024

CHARD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING

Tonight the first informal meeting of the Chard Chamber of Commerce was held.

A very well attended meeting, with businesses varying from Hairdressers to Newsagents, Card Shops to Funeral Directors, Caravan and Motorhome Repair Centres to Cafès, and more!

The Chamber aims to form officially by October, with all necessary provisions in place by then to create a diverse, collaborative and enterprising Chamber.

Initial discussion of concerns from businesses highlighted that:

➡️ Impact of Crime has a huge impact on Chard’s High Street economy; including drug-related crime.

➡️ Community-run events are causing problems for High Street businesses, by either obstructing operation or detracting from usual footfall.

➡️ Chard Regeneration has had a negative overall impact on High Street businesses.

➡️ There must be absolutely no association with Chard Town Council as the Chamber moves forward, and future meetings will be held at other premises.

However, businesses are looking forward to working collaboratively, and continue to welcome other businesses into the fold to solve these issues.

Establishing a Chamber of Commerce would enable a voice for participating businesses that can collectively approach local authorities or public services through one contact point. Therefore, wider participation is needed.

There was a feeling of optimism and inspiration among businesses after this initial exercise about the direction of the town’s business community.

Although several areas of issue were identified, there were many positives that arose from the meeting, including the positive impact the Carnival has on local businesses, as well as the Christmas Light switch-on.

It was noted that the expectation of businesses can be held too high by some local organisations, and that it must be remembered that independent businesses operate to promote their trade; it is a livelihood - not a voluntary activity.

However, businesses do like making some appropriate contributions to their community.

Future areas of focus for the Chamber include:

👮‍♂️ Better Resilience Against Crime & Disorder.

☎️ Better Communication with LAs & Services.

🇬🇧 Taking Pride in Chard’s Community & History.

The Chamber has identified businesses willing to take a greater role in the operations of the organisation, and has identified potential membership fees that would generate significant benefits to cooperating establishments.

Do not be put off by membership fees. They have not been confirmed but could be between £30 and £45 a year. Benefits of membership could include: access to exclusive training, networking events, room hire for meetings, and more.

The next meeting will be held in six weeks, with an exact date, time and location to be confirmed ASAP.

Chard Chamber of Commerce

07/02/2024

➡️ Come along for the first informal meeting of local businesses in the TA20 area to help form a Chamber of Commerce!

05/02/2024

30/01/2024

Unfortunately, due to an error with Outlook, an email provided to RSVP attendance to has been blocked. Therefore, please contact this page directly via messenger.
Chard Chamber.

24/01/2024

Read more ⬇️

https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/chard_news/24067830.councillor-works-chard-business-relaunch-chamber-commerce/

24/01/2024

Delivered 100 invitations to Chard Businesses this afternoon. A huge amount of interest in the Chamber.

There are more invitations to go out, do not feel left out if you have not yet had one.

Chard Chamber of Commerce Inaugural Meeting
Wednesday 7th February at 6pm (Guildhall Auditorium). See you there!

23/01/2024

“New era begins for Chard businesses.”

A councillor is working with Chard businesses to relaunch the town’s chamber of commerce.

22/01/2024

🚨 An Open Invitation to the Inaugural Meeting of the Chard Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday 7th February at 6pm in the Auditorium, Chard Guildhall.

Exclusively for businesses that operate in the TA20 postcode. RSVP to [email protected] confirming attendance by Friday 2nd February.

Please SHARE with any sole traders, self-employed businesses, trading estate businesses, etc.

Look forward to seeing you there.

19/01/2024

Thank you for your support so far. This seems like an idea that would strengthen our High Street’s independent sector and give a voice to improving our local businesses!

17/01/2024

Welcome to the Chard Chamber of Commerce! 🏆

📍Based in the historic market town of Chard, Somerset.

🗣️ We are setting out to give local businesses a voice, network with surrounding areas, and to support the community we operate in.

➕ Please follow our page to support your local High Street!

Thank you.