Boosting Business
Campaigning for a brighter future for Clitheroe, Anita Orchard the new president of the Chamber of Trade sets out her plans
The new president of Clitheroe Chamber of Trade (CoT) Anita Orchard has set out how she hopes to improve the town, increase footfall and boost trade for business owners.
As a business owner herself (Anita runs the renowned Apricot Meringue café) she knows all too well the benefits of being part of the CoT: “When you own a business you can often feel like you’re on your own with no-one to talk to if things aren’t going to plan. But if you’re a member of the Chamber of Trade you know you’re part of a team of people who totally understand.”
Clitheroe CoT is made up of a network of businesses that promotes the interests of its 60 members and the local business community.
It is designed to help businesses both small and large to succeed by providing support, amplifying their voices and giving them the opportunity to drive change.
“We help businesses connect and we believe our relationships lead us to achieve goals that we probably wouldn’t achieve alone,” says Anita.
“I intend to make contact with businesses in Clitheroe and on the outskirts to speak to them to tell them how they can get involved in the Chamber and what it can do for them. The more members we have the stronger we are as a group.”
Anita, who has already forged collaborations with Clitheroe Town Team, the Town Council and Ribble Vally Borough Council, adds: “We are all hoping to work together to see what we can do for the town and the businesses within it. We are definitely not political, but we are very much a part of both councils and together, we can deliver events for the benefit of the town and its traders,” says Anita, who adds that the number of empty shops in Clitheroe is not as worrying as some may think.
“RVBC plans to do a High Street Health Check, but historically the rise in the number of empty shops is cyclical. At the moment there are around 13 ‘to let’ signs but many of the properties are owned by the same people and they have been on a 10-year lease.
“The number has prompted us as a Chamber to look at how we can attract new business to the town, but it’s not as worrying when you know the background.”
Other issues that have prompted complaints, including the town’s pavements that are in need or urgent repair, are being confronted: “With regards to the pavements we have assured businesses that this will be short term pain for long term gain.”
Work will start on 15th April with the top end of Castle Street being closed off and Lancashire County Council, which is doing the repairs, have assured the Chamber that the road will be open by 31st July in time for Clitheroe’s Food Festival.
The work will see a wider pedestrian area, the street slightly narrower in parts, with disabled parking areas, a safe crossing and benches installed.
“Plans can be seen online,” says Anita, who is originally from the North West, but was raised in Buckinghamshire.
She moved back north 12 years ago: “I just love the Ribble Valley and in Clitheroe we have an amazing town! It has everything – a castle, lovely shops and marvellous people. As a nation I think we are very much developing a café culture and I think Clitheroe is the perfect location for this. I am of the opinion that whichever cafes, bars and restaurants come to Clitheroe – as well as other new businesses – we have to ensure that the quality is good to attract locals and visitors.”
Other areas that Anita will be exploring as president of the Chamber is ideas for improving Clitheroe market: “I am a big fan of the market – as a café owner I buy a lot of my produce there as it’s such good quality. Clitheroe market as a whole is a member of the CoT and for a number of years traders have been campaigning for an upgrade.
“Some of the filming for the Take That movie took place in the market area and it looked amazing. It had been especially cleaned up and looked lovely – really vibrant. As a Chamber we would like to find out what the traders really want to see going forward. It just needs to be enhanced in my opinion – it doesn’t need anything drastic. It’s such a fabulous facility, we don’t want to lose it as it’s a real asset to the town.”
Looking to the future Anita and the CoT hope to resurrect a number of successful events from the past plus originate new ones too: “I enjoy being a part of the Chamber of Trade, it gives me great satisfaction. You can’t just sit back and expect things to happen. I’d like to see occupied shops on a busy high street with something for everyone.”
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
3rd – 5th May RIBBLE VALLEY JAZZ FESTIVAL
4th & 5th May NORTH WEST CRYSTAL SPIRITUAL & WELLNESS FAIR
9th – 11th May CLITHEROE BEER FESTIVAL
Throughout June PRIDE EVENTS
14th – 16th June CONTEMPORARY ARTS FESTIVAL
10th August CLITHEROE FOOD FESTIVAL
27th – 29th September SCOOTER RALLY
31st October HALLOWEEN (late night opening)
2nd & 3rd November WITCH THEMED EVENTS AND GHOST WALKS
10th November REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
30th November CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA
