Rushden Chamber of Trade - Rules Adopted and Officers Appointed – The First Business

The large number of Rushden tradesmen who have been concerned in recent efforts to form an organisation for mutual interests have decided to call themselves “The Rushden Chamber of Trade”. The rules as drafted by a special committee, with a few minor alterations, were adopted at a meeting on Monday in the B.W.T.A. Hall, Mr W P Orrell presiding, supported by Mr G Haigh, the secretary.

Mr Orrell said the small committee appointed at the previous meeting had carefully drawn up rules and suggested that they be considered separately.

The Secretary read the rules, and the objects stated that the organisation would support the National chamber of trade, foster friendship among tradesmen of the town, and endeavour to advance the business of the district. The rules fixed the number of officers, the dates of meetings, subscriptions, etc.

Officers were appointed as follow: President, Mr W P Orrell; vice-president, Mr J Roe; secretary, Mr G Haigh; treasurer, Mr S Phillips; committee members for two years, Messrs S Knight, A Gramshaw, E Warren, and H Cartwright, and for one year only Messrs F Webb, Billingham, W Tomlinson, and E Chettle.

A suggestion by Mr Gramshaw, that it would be a good thing for trade if an effort were made every quarter by combined advertising and window display to appeal to out-of-town shoppers, was recommended to the committee.

On the motion of Mr C E Cook, it was resolved that the committee should consider the question of pressing for the reduction in the cost of electric lighting.

It was decided to have a paper read at the next meeting on the preparation of accounts and income tax returns.

Mr Roe referred to a balance of several pounds at the last meeting of the Shopping Week Committee, which was to be handed over to the Chamber.

Traders Seek More Members

Tradesmen Prefer 2-Way Street - Demand for Car Park Notices

Rushden's newly-formed Chamber of Trade have offered their advice to the Urban Council regarding the proposed plan for a one-way High Street.

It was suggested at their meeting that additional parking places and improved sign-boarding would be a better solution to the traffic problem.

Here are the comments of a selection of High Street traders—members and non-members of the Chamber of Trade —made to an "Echo and Argus" representative.

Hotel Manager (Mr. H. G. Wiggins): "We certainly get here quite a number of people who are passing through the town and stop for meals, particularly commercial travellers. If vehicles are going around Wellingborough Road, it absolutely cuts the cafes out. If the parking system was better, and people knew where to park their cars, there would probably be no traffic problem. Parking signs should be in the High Street. There are car parks to a certain extent, but signs are necessary."

Draper (Mr. J. Blunt): "The one-way street cannot be a good thing from the shopkeepers' point of view, but if you want my own view, it will be a good idea for the town. The signs will be a very good thing. I know there are a good many people who do not know there is a car park at the back here. Of course, we are in the worst part of the street."

Tobacconist (Mr. L. R. Neville): "There is only one solution, and that is to stop cars parking in the High Street. There are parking places and we should make people use them. It would stop people shopping in cars; if they only stop for ten minutes it makes a block. The placing of notices, as in Northampton and other towns, would help this problem.''

Wireless Dealer (Mr. H. Wills): "I believe I am the only one in favour of a one-way street, and I am in favour on the grounds of the safety of the public for a start. In my opinion it will be definitely beneficial to the traders and not the reverse, as they say. If there is a definite one-way, it will allow anyone who wishes to go shopping and park their cars without interference from a steady stream of traffic going through."

Outfitter's Manager (Mr. S. P. Downing): "All I can say is that I agree with the Chamber of Trade. It is pretty obvious that there ought to be more parking places in these narrow streets. I have seen this sort of thing happen before, with a loss to trade."

Newsagent (Mr. C. Robinson junr.): "There are arguments for and against. Definitely it will make a difference to the trade. It will make a great difference to our deliveries, particularly with the petrol shortage. There are a lot of traffic jams, and the one-way street will cure those. We know where the parking places are, but other people who come to the town do not."

Car parking: Traders Oppose Council

Rushden and District Chamber of Trade members decided at their annual meeting on Tuesday evening to oppose any further restrictions on parking in the town.

The decision followed a discussion during which it was stated that there seemed no policy whatever in the Urban Council’s restrictions, which were having an adverse effect on trade.

There was also considerable discussion on Easter closing, with Good Friday as the bone of contention. The fear was expressed that, like many other religious festivals to-day, Good Friday might go “down the drain,” though the new president (Mr. E. J. Roe) said there was no doubt that Good Friday shop opening was expedient.

It was decided that notices be printed to the effect that shops would be closed on Good Friday, Easter Monday and Tuesday. The decision as to which day shall be crossed out is to be left to the individual trader.

When Mr. Eric Roe, former Conservative councillor for Rushden East Ward, became president of the Chamber, he completed a coronation year “hat trick.”

He also holds presidential office with Rushden Royal Air Forces Association and Rushden District Query Motor Club.

Mr. Roe, who is also a Rotarian, succeeded Mr. A. W. Freestone as Chamber of Trade president, and during the change-over Mr. Freestone remarked that Mr. Roe’s father had also held the position. He hoped that Mr. Roe’s son would hold the office in the Queen’s Golden Jubilee year.

Other appointments at the annual meeting were: Vice-president, Mr. G. R. Johnson; treasurer, Mr. E. V. H. Preedy; secretary, Mr. R. A. Evans; auditor, Mr. L. G. Roberts; new committee members, Miss C. Jeeves, Mrs. G. R. Johnson, Mr. E. Cutmore, Mr. G. Saxby, Mr. A. C. Wright, Mr. A. W. Freestone and Mr. A. S. Knight.

Spending Rushden’s Money
Mr. W. D. White, Rushden Urban Council’s treasurer, explained how the council was going to spend its money during the next 12 months when he spoke to the Chamber of Trade on Monday.

Mr. White said the estimated expenditure was £316,000. Of that figure £64,000 would meet precepts, and local expenditure would comprise £132,000 from revenue with £120,000 on the council’s capital programme.

Income would include £120,000 from loans, £105,000 from rates, £39,000 from house rents, £35,000 from Government grants and subsidies and £17,000 from miscellaneous sources.

The treasurer also outlined the manner in which the council had spent money during 1951-52. Housing capital schemes had taken 34 per cent, precepts 17 per cent, wages and salaries 12 per cent and loan charges 11 per cent. Income, which had amounted to £294,000, was from loans (36 per cent), rates (28 per cent), house rents (8½ per cent), and Government grants (5½ per cent).

Mr. White spoke of the merits and demerits of the rating system, and compared local government accounts with those of the private trader.

Thanks were expressed by Mr. A. S. Knight, Mr. Eric Roe was in the chair.