Boosting Business in Rossendale
The newly inaugurated Valley at Work Business Exhibition has been given the 'thumbs up' by both exhibitors and visitors. The Exhibition, which took place over Tuesday and Wednesday May 12th and 13th at Bacup Leisure Hall, had over 200 visitors to the 30 Trade Stands.
Exhibition organiser, Iain Wight, said:' We have had really positive feedback since the Exhibition. We would have liked to have seen more visitors on Wednesday, but this is the first year we have done this, and there is more to be pleased about than disappointed by.'
Virtually all the visitors commended the layout of the exhibition and the variety of businesses exhbiting. And the majority of exhibitors commented on the good levels of interest from the visitors, with many reporting a number of good 'leads' to follow up.
Cllr Hazel Harding, Leader of Lancashire County Council, who was interviewed by the BBC, who showed the exhibition on North West News and Politics Today, was also very impressed by all she saw as she toured the stands.
Cllr Harding said:' As a councillor for more than 20 years I pride myself on knowing a lot about the Valley and its businesses but this exhibition was a real eye-opener. There are so many brilliant businesses working in Rossendale and delivering for customers far and wide. This gives us all the chance to meet them and see the quality of Rossendale at work.'
The exhibition also attracted the Chief Executive of Rossendale Council, Helen Lockwood, and Chief Exec of East Lancs Chamber of Commerce, Mike Damms as well as leading local politicians. Mr Damms commented: ' I am really pleased to see such vibrant business life going on in Rossendale. It's an area that tends to be neglected, and this exhibition has given us an insight into what is really happening.'
Prospective MP's, Jake Berry (Cons) and Dale Mulgrew (Lib Dem) also spent some time at the exhibition, and they passed similar comments, being generally amazed at the variety , quality and dynamism of the local Rossendale business community.
Jake Berry commented:' "I was delighted to attend Rossendale's premier networking event of 2009. The Valley at Work Exhibition, showcased the strength and depth of the business community in Rossendale. In these hardened times it is vitally important that the business community comes together to support each other.'
'As prospective Conservative MP for Rossendale I want to support and promote Valley businesses. Having an exhibition, such as Valley at Work where potential investors in
Rossendale can see the business community at work, makes this job considerably easier"
The Valley at Work steering group are now considering making the Business Exhibition an annual event, adapting it to reflect the comments of both visitors and exhibitors.
In addition to the main Stands, the Exhibition Organisers want to thank Do-Dahs Cafe in Rawtenstall for providing a first class cafe on site for the Exhibition; Mr Fitzpatricks Cordials for giving a genuine alternative to the usual soft drinks, and providing a local flavour (literally!); Colin Harper Photography (www.ColinHarperPhotography.co.uk); and Paul Vernon Lydiate with the CAR Video Unit.
A special thanks also goes to the Horse and Bamboo Theatre in Waterfoot, and Mid Pennine Arts (Valley of Stone) who put on displays of their work at the exhibition.