Serving the District of Wigtown, Wigtownshire, southwest Scotland

Welcome to the District of Wigtown Chamber of Commerce

Visitor Information Point initiative

The Board agreed at the last meeting to press ahead with a Visitor Information initiative which will be called the VIP scheme (Visitor Information Points). The idea is that member businesses are offered the chance to apply to become a Visitor Information Point prominently displaying the attached sign in their windows to allow visitors to come into their shop or business to ask for local information. For businesses this represents an opportunity to attract footfall into their premises and perhaps increase their sales at the same time, as well as offering a genuine information service to visitors. The criteria will be as follows:-

• Participating businesses must be fully paid up Chamber members
• Must display the sign prominently in their windows.
• Must stock local tourist information leaflets in their premises
• Must have a basic knowledge of local attractions etc. (A familiarisation session will be offered to each participating business accepted into the scheme).
• Participating businesses must be open at weekends. Consideration will be given to businesses which are only open on Saturday, but ideally, we are looking for businesses which are open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

The reason for the scheme is that there is no tourist information office in Wigtown and Machars Action, which has provided such information to visitors, is not open at weekends or Bank Holidays. Anyone who is interested in participating in the VIP scheme should contact me at: president@dw-chamber.org.uk.

Enterprise Minister accepts Chamber Invitation 17/04/08

Jim Mather, has accepted an invitation by the Chamber to come to Wigtownshire to discuss economic regeneration issues. The Stranraer Waterfront Project will be the main theme of this meeting given recent announcements and given the importance of this project to the whole of the Shire. The meeting, therefore, will most likely take place in Stranraer in early July. The visit is likely to take place on a Monday or Tuesday morning. If any members have any issues they would like raised with the Minister, please let me know at: president@dw-chamber.org.uk.

Tired of Commuting?

Tired of commuting? Want to run your own business? Looking for quality of life for you and your family?
If you are looking for a lifestyle change to an area with a better quality of life and are considering operating a business, The District of Wigtown Chamber of Commerce may be able to assist you.
There are opportunities available in Wigtown for people wishing to run a range of different types of business, not just book businesses, right here in Scotland's National Book Town.
Wigtown is situated in the heart of the beautiful, scenic and historic Mid-Galloway area of South West Scotland. To find out more, contact Peter Jeal on 01671 403875.

Protect our local businesses- Call to Council 08/11/2007

Chamber President Peter Jeal calls on councillors to back a consistent policy to protect business activity throughout Wigtownshire as part of an overall strategy of economic regeneration.

For example there is no existing policy for the protection of retailing activity essential to encourage visitor spend and support tourism activity. In Stranraer only 30% of business is permitted to be non-retailing; in Victoria Street, Newton Stewart non retailing activity approaches 50%.

Furthermore, Mr Jeal wants to see moves by the council to prevent shops being turned into private dwellings when they go on the market. "We must do everything we can to ensure our towns and villages have a sustainable economic future".

Our Vision and Mission:

• Our vision for the District of Wigtown is to further the development of a vibrant business community making the area an attractive place to live visit and work
• The mission of the Chamber is to represent the interests of its members in negotiations with public sector agencies
• To encourage local business networking and trading
• Attract inward investment in business skills and infrastructure
• Work with partners to increase tourism and the value of spend in the area

Core values:

• To consult with members and representatives of the business community on key issues and policies
• An inclusive approach towards membership from all sectors and sizes of business resident in the wider area of the Machars
• A commitment to environmental responsibility, conservation, recycling and energy saving
• Constructive partnership with local and regional agencies, working together to resolve any issues that affect business
• Accountability of elected officers and co-opted working groups pursuing activities on behalf of the Chamber

Join our Chamber!

• We will promote commerce, industry trade and ancillary services.
  
• Foster, advance and protect commercial, industrial, trade and professional enterprises and without limitation, other activities and business undertakings of all kinds in the locality and elsewhere in the United Kingdom
• Provide and develop business services to members and others join the Chamber here

Where we are

• Set in glorious countryside in the southernmost part of Scotland, the District of Wigtown is a busy community with numerous attractions for the tourist and casual visitor. As well as the book shops (Wigtown is Scotland's National Book Town) there are other shops, accommodation providers, restaurants, cafes and over 100 numerous small and medium businesses in our surrounding area.