Record high

The business support agency has welcomed its 1,200th new member which is a record high never surpassed in 114 years of Chamber history in Bury and Bolton.

Susan Dobbins, director of JSD Export Services, was the official 1,200th member.

It took her just a few seconds to join the booming agency online via their website on www.chamberhelp.co.uk.

Andrew Ratcliff, chief designate for the Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are delighted to welcome JSD Export Services as our 1,200th member. "Our membership grew by ten per cent last year and we are expecting more businesses to join up this year to take advantage of an excellent package of business support and networking activities."

He added: "Our new legal expenses insurance package, which offers all members access to £500,000 worth of legal cover, will be a major attraction to local businesses.

"This comprehensive service, which covers the cost of legal action resulting from matters such as employment disputes, business motoring incidents and Inland Revenue investigations, is included free within the membership fee, yet would cost businesses more than £100 if they were to buy it themselves."

Mr Ratcliff continued: "As the Chamber prepares to relaunch itself this April, when its Business Link and Training and Enterprise arms transfer to the new Government agencies, we can look forward with confidence in the knowledge that more businesses then ever before want to be a part of the dynamic local Chamber movement.