NEW members are desperately being sought to join Clitheroe Chamber of Trade to avoid it folding for good.
Out-going president Stephen Pietrzak, who runs Togged Up in Market Place, said that unless new, younger members join and the committee's structure undergoes a radical shake-up, the chamber may be forced to disband.
Now Mr Pietrzak, who hands over the presidency to solicitor John Holdsworth next month, has called for the town's shopkeepers and industrialists to have their say.
At present, Clitheroe Chamber of Trade has representatives on several committees, including police liaison, Citizens Advice Bureau, Tourism Association, the Rates Consultative Committee and Ribble Valley Rail, as well as representation on governing bodies at local schools.
As well as close contact with the police, the chamber operates its own telephone 'ring round' system.
InIn the last year the chamber has seen its membership dwindle from 120 to 80 members, with an average of only 10 people attending each meeting.
He said: "We need new, young blood coming along. We have lots of shops in Clitheroe and the chamber is not just for shopkeepers, it's for any business.
"They must support the chamber. If they do not, there will be no more Christmas lights, no ring-round system to deter thieves and no bunting.
"The same few people are coming to every meeting and, given the number of members the chamber has, we should be able to warrant more than 10 people at each one."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article