About the Chamber
Connecting Market Harborough's business community
The Market Harborough Chamber of Trade & Commerce brings local businesses together, provides a collective voice for business and contributes to the future of our town.
The Chamber
A business community with a shared purpose
The Chamber brings together businesses and organisations from across Market Harborough and the surrounding area.
From independent businesses and sole traders to established companies and larger organisations, our members represent many different sectors and perspectives.
We provide a place for those businesses to connect, share ideas, raise issues and contribute to the future of the local economy.
Our roots
A town built around trade
Market Harborough has been a place of trade and commerce for centuries. A royal market charter was granted to the town in 1204, with the Tuesday market established in 1221.
The town's business community has changed considerably since then. Today's economy encompasses independent retailers, professional services, hospitality, trades, creative businesses, technology and larger organisations.
The Chamber is part of that continuing story — bringing today's business community together and helping it contribute to the town's future.
1204
Market charter
1221
Tuesday market
TODAY
A diverse business community
Why we exist
Businesses are stronger when they're connected.
Running a business can sometimes feel like an individual endeavour. But many of the opportunities and challenges facing businesses are shared.
The Chamber exists to create those connections — bringing businesses together, encouraging collaboration and providing a collective voice for local business.
Our mission
To create a vibrant business community in the Market Harborough area.
What we do
Four ways we contribute
CONNECT
Bring local businesses together and create opportunities to build relationships.
INFORM
Share knowledge, ideas and information about issues affecting local businesses.
REPRESENT
Provide a collective voice for businesses and engage with local decision-makers.
CONTRIBUTE
Support initiatives that help the business community and wider community thrive.
Who makes up the Chamber?
A community, not a category
The Chamber isn't limited to one type of business or one particular sector.
Independent businesses
Sole traders, independents and start-ups.
Professional services
Accountants, advisers, consultants and professional practices.
Retail & hospitality
Shops, cafés, restaurants and leisure businesses.
Creative & digital
Design, marketing, technology and media.
Trades & property
Builders, trades, property and related services.
Larger organisations
Established companies, institutions and local organisations.
That diversity is part of what makes the Chamber useful. Businesses from very different sectors can share ideas, make connections and find common ground around the future of Market Harborough.
Beyond networking
More than networking
Bringing businesses together is an important part of what the Chamber does, but it is only part of the picture.
Our meetings give businesses opportunities to hear from specialists and organisations on subjects that matter locally, while providing a forum to exchange ideas and discuss issues affecting the business community.
The Chamber also helps connect businesses with relevant organisations, information and opportunities across the district and wider region.
Representation
A voice for local business
Individual businesses don't always have the time or opportunity to engage directly with every organisation or consultation that could affect them.
The Chamber provides a forum through which local businesses can raise concerns, exchange views and contribute to conversations about the future of the area.
Businesses
Members across every sector
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Chamber
A collective voice
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Local community & decision-makers
Local authorities • organisations • community
The bigger picture
Business doesn't operate in isolation
A thriving business community and a thriving town are closely connected. The Chamber therefore takes an interest in the wider issues that shape Market Harborough and its economy.
Skills & education
Supporting conversations around skills, training and employment.
Town & community
Contributing to initiatives that support the wider town.
Local economy
Engaging with issues that affect the environment in which local businesses operate.
Looking ahead
Looking to the future
Market Harborough continues to change, and so does the way people live, work and do business.
The Chamber provides a place for local businesses to meet those changes together — connecting businesses, sharing information, encouraging collaboration and ensuring that the voice of local business remains part of conversations about the future of Market Harborough.
A strong business community helps create a strong town.
