New website behind 40% membership growth

Lightwater Business Association holds its first formal networking event for new members to meet other local businesses

“Since the launch of its new website in December 2006 membership of the Lightwater Business Association (LBA) has increased by 40%” reported Tim Salter, Association co-chairman, at its AGM and networking evening on March 20^th.

Continuing its ‘Keep it Local’ campaign to boost both awareness and business activity for businesses in Lightwater, the Association held a networking evening on 20^th March for new and existing members to meet to discuss business.

Around 30 people, existing and new LBA members, were welcomed by the co-chairmen, Tim Salter of Carsons Estate Agency and Mike Godwin of Unique Car Sound & Security, and listened to a short talk by Mike Duffy, Proprietor of Budgens Supermarket in Lightwater, on why he sold the family home to fund the purchase of the franchise for Budgens in Lightwater.

Mike Godwin, Co-Chairman says, “Our first formal networking evening succeeded in getting local businesses talking together. There’s no substitute for meeting face to face to discuss business issues and opportunities.”

Soraya Dubra, Creative Gardens, said, “As one of the newest members, it was good to meet other small businesses in Lightwater and exchange ideas and contacts.”

Businesses make village beautiful

The Lightwater Business Association again provides the hanging flower baskets in the centre of Lightwater village

“We’re delighted to provide the hanging flower baskets in Lightwater village centre for the third year. We share the majority of our membership fees, and public donations at our events, like our Xmas Fayre in the Square, between providing the hanging baskets and the Mayor’s charity”, said Tim Salter, Co-chairman of the Lightwater Business Association.

Mike Godwin, LBA Co-chairman continued, saying,” The members of the Business Association look forward to this time of year when our contribution to the Lightwater village community is made visible with the hanging flower baskets. We know the villagers appreciate them, because they tell us so. Even though this year we’ve reached a record membership, we’re always keen for new members, it’ll help ensure we’re able to do this again next year.”

For those interested in the contents of the baskets, they contain plants selected for their long flowering season that also don’t require dead heading. The plants are: Busy Lizzie [Impatiens], Cranesbill [Geranium decora], Petunia [Petunia surfina], and Verbena. They grow in compost from a renewable source with good water retention properties, helping to keep the watering down to one a week, or twice a week in hot spells.