Punitha’s Restaurant and Take Away....

Another great Chamber event with lots of excellent food and good news

David Cummings , Chairman of Monmouth and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce commented:

“An excellent evening was had by Chamber members and guests sampling the delights of Southern Indian cuisine at Punitha’s Restaurant and Take Away, who kindly hosted our November event last week.

David explained that there is chill news out there nationally on the retail side, but in Monmouth there is evidence that the retail sector is bucking this trend. Twelve new businesses will have opened their doors this autumn and we expect to reach our shop occupancy target rate of 99% soon. Two independent retailers have told him that they have had the best trading month in October, in 25 years in business. There is also evidence of excellent order books in some parts of the services sector. The Chamber is redoubling its efforts to improve footfall into shops with the Buy Local/ Buy Monmouth campaign and Peel2Save.

There was more good news with excellent progress on plans to improve parking capacity in town and with the new hotel development. In 2012 they would work closely with the county council to attract inward investment, particularly from high tech companies and try to maximise the use of currently empty light industrial and warehousing facilities in town.

David said he was delighted that three new members signed up for Chamber membership as a result of the event and looked forward to the next Chamber event at the Shire Hall on 23^rd January 2012.