Chamber needs leaders

By Lilly O’Gorman
BERWICK Village Chamber of Commerce (BVCC) is in “dire straits” and is hoping some new blood can fix the problem.
All positions on the executive committee have been declared vacant in the lead-up to the annual general meeting on Wednesday 8 August.
President Harry Hutchinson will be one of the current members stepping aside to make way for some fresh faces, which he says the chamber desperately needs.
“We just feel that someone may crawl out from under the woodwork and nominate for any of the positions,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“The chamber needs a breath of fresh air now. We’ve just become stale and it’s the same old. It is no disrespect to anyone, they’re all hard workers and their hearts are in the right place, but we’ve all come to the conclusion that we need new leadership and it’s an ideal time to change.”
Mr Hutchinson said that, unfortunately no-one had expressed interest in taking up the positions, and he encouraged members of the business community to nominate themselves or someone else.
“It is dire straits for us. We’ve got a good membership base but are lacking in leadership,” he said.
“If we don’t get new people in, the chamber will continue in its present form, but we believe it is lacking enthusiasm, and we’re hoping by getting new members on board it will give us what we’ve been lacking.
“I think anyone who likes to see Berwick grow and have a strong business presence it’s an ideal opportunity for them.”