Wye Business Association

Wye Business Association was established in 1996 to bolster the businesses in Wye which were suffering from the decline in the rural economy largely due to the onslaught of out-of-town supermarkets. Wye like many other villages had suffered from the new trend of one stop shopping at the big multiple stores. It was time to act! We first met at the local tea rooms (Now a very pleasant Chinese Restaurant). Over many months of discussion out of concern, the Shop Keepers and Businesses formed The Wye Business Association. We agreed on three aims, supported by the Parish Council:
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1. Promote the shops and businesses
2. Increase community spirit
3. Raise the profile of Wye

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We enlisted the help of Kent Rural Community Council to get underway. Later on we were successful in arranging improved road signs on the A28 to highlight to motorists that there are many services available in the village.
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For the last fourteen years we have held a Christmas Street Party pulling together the various clubs and associations of our village to provide a very enjoyable evening for all and at the same time raising money to purchase Christmas lights for our village. Any surplus funds are used for good causes within our village. Read about the last party on WyeWeb.
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Over the years we realised that there were people working from home that others may not know about. After a recruitment drive we now have a membership of fifty three with not only shops but an extensive range of businesses. Recently (with the help of our local printer) we have produced our own business directory advertising the shops and businesses. This goes out once a year to over 3,000 local homes. It is delivered by one of our shop keepers who owns Leppers Homes & Gardens. He does this at the same time as delivering his own brochure. It’s all about pulling our resources together and fighting back.
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Tourism is hot on our agenda as we have three bed and breakfasts, three pubs, and four restaurants. There is also accommodation at some of these. We have been working closely with Ashford Borough Council’s Tourist Department and have connected our web site to theirs (with the help of one of our local website designers!) It’s all about helping each other and linking up. We have recently formed a tourist information point at 141 Bridge Street, Wye (tel: 01233 812671). This is being well used.
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A recently published visitors’ guide to the Mid Kent Downs is now available from our Information Point.
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The Wye Business Association meets monthly in the early evening at The Kings Head . We discuss topical issues relating to the business community and plan promotional projects. We also organise fundraising events which serve to raise awareness of the village and of the businesses. You will find more details on the Events page. The Committee is decided at the AGM in the Spring.
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The current Committee:

• Ann Sutherland – Chairman
• Brian Sharpe  - Vice-Chair
• Ian Cooling – Secretary
• Angela Walker – Treasurer

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We are always keen to welcome new members from any sized organisation. The greater our number, the stronger our collective voice when we need to lobby or speak out on a contentious issue. The more members from different businesses and trades, the more experience we have as a group and the better informed we are.
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To join Web Business Association, download our membership form (PDF)
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In joining together, our actions remind our community what an important part of our village fabric we are. Although we cannot turn the clock back, we hope that by forming our Business Association and being active we have gained loyalty and support from our village.

This page has the following sub pages.

• News & Offers