WIRRAL CHAMBER CELEBRATES ITS 110TH ANNIVERSARY By CEO Paula Basnett
This year marks a significant milestone at Wirral Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate our 110th anniversary . We have always felt that as a chamber , we stand on the shoulders of giants as a result of our prestigious history . We were established in 1912 by Lord Leverhulme , who became our chamber ’ s inaugural president . His vision for Birkenhead Chamber of Commerce , as Wirral Chamber was then , was to create a platform for businesses of all sizes to have a voice and to support local commerce and industry .
In the archives of Wirral Borough Council are the original board minutes of chamber board meetings . Handwritten and leather-clad , they are as spectacular to witness and touch as they are to read their contents . We often say that opportunities and challenges come around full circle , evidenced in the chamber ’ s history books . Wirral was on the cusp of significant investment in the 1920s in the aftermath of the First World War . Today , over 100 years later , we ’ re in a similar position , with huge investment and regeneration opportunities on the back of a crippling world event , the coronavirus .
Our 110th anniversary is a stark reminder that whilst we enjoy looking back on our past and have much to learn from our forbearers , it ’ s so important we remain laser-focused on our future . This is why we have launched the process of setting a five-year strategic plan for 2023 / 27 , to enable our chamber to navigate through the many challenges and opportunities that await not only ourselves as a chamber , but our business community as a whole .
As Wirral ’ s leading business representative organisation , we feel an immense sense of responsibility to maintain a robust and effective chamber of commerce for our members and the broader business community , and every decision made and direction taken over the next five years will reflect this . To ensure that our strategic plan is the right fit for the chamber and our members , we are working in collaboration with our stakeholders , board of directors and staff to design a plan around Wirral ’ s future economic journey .
We must never forget that whilst Wirral Chamber of Commerce is a business in its own right ; we are also a key driver of economic growth and prosperity in Wirral through our many hundreds of members . We recognise that we have a significant role to play in growing the local economy , and we draw upon the Wirral Economy for the context of our five-year strategic plan .
Wirral is at an essential point in its economic history . Like other significant towns and cities across the UK , Wirral has recently been
challenged to come forward with ambitious plans for economic renewal as part of the government ’ s Levelling Up agenda . Wirral has long had significant wealth disparity , and within the principles of Levelling Up , partners , including the chamber and Wirral Council , have been working hard to rectify this . Through significant government funding , Wirral now has a unique and unprecedented opportunity for positive change .
A key driver of change is Wirral Council ’ s transformational regeneration programme along the ‘ Left Bank ’ of the River Mersey stretching from New Brighton to Bromborough , with a particular focus on the creation of a sustainable , waterfront urban garden community in Birkenhead . This is underpinned by the Birkenhead 2040 Framework and Local Plan .
This presents Wirral with a unique opportunity to use its significant regeneration programme and emerging government-backed initiatives to build on its own growing sector strengths , support accessible opportunities for Wirral residents , and leverage new investment in the area .
As a Chamber of Commerce , we believe the economy can only succeed when supported in collaboration with our Public Sector partners . Our key drivers of representation stem from the fact that the economy is nothing without the hard work and determination of our entrepreneurs who generate wealth , investment and jobs across all our communities .
We maintain our long-held view that a strong economy has good conditions for businesses to thrive and for business leaders to have a voice in decisions that impact them . As Wirral economy transitions into its new direction , we will be working hard to ensure that all businesses locally have the support they need to join Wirral on its new journey .
As 2022 draws to a close , I want to thank our chamber staff for their hard work and dedication to supporting our businesses in the face of significant economic challenges . Our partners for their continued cooperation and dialogue in creating decent conditions for businesses to thrive . Above all else , I want to thank our members who enable us to do what we do every day . It is you who are the heart of our chamber and our economy , employing thousands of local people , investing millions of pounds and creating wealth and prosperity across all our communities . It ’ s our honour and privilege to represent you .
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