Q3
West & North Yorkshire Business
6
BRADFORD NEWS
Looking ahead Some of you, hopefully, may be aware that I recently succeeded Suzanne Watson as President of Bradford Chamber of Commerce. I have been involved for many years in Chamber activities and yet I’m still surprised and honoured to be in this position. I hope I’m able to follow in the footsteps of many of my successors as we support our business community and grow the economy after what has been an unprecedented 18 months for so many people. At the risk of sounding like a regurgitated business strategy, ahead of me, I see opportunities and challenges for the Chamber, the wider business community and the Bradford District. As a business support organisation, we need to ensure that we move with the times to find the best possible measures, activities and connections that assist our members to not only survive but to also develop and grow as we emerge from the pandemic. In order that we can best represent members and lobby on their behalf, we also need to carefully monitor and track economic trends (as with our quarterly economic survey – a widelyaccepted crucial tool in this regard), and be aware of issues coming over the horizon. As a District, we need to reinforce and press home with regional and national stakeholders, the strengths of Bradford and the role it can and does play in a devolved and ‘levelled up’ economy. We in business, in particular, have a key role as ambassadors here; and, so, I’m looking forward to engaging with other business and civic leaders to both find out what they need from our organisation and to pass on any information about the local business community that I can. Victoria Wainwright President Bradford Chamber
Bradford garden centre is first retail outlet for hand crafted Yorkshire furniture A former PE teacher’s business has created hand crafted wooden products exclusively for a Bradford Garden Centre. Halifax business, Off the Grain has made bespoke solid wood planters and a companion bench exclusively for Tong Garden Centre. Off the Grain’s founder, Dom Walsh is excited about his company’s first retail listing: “Off the Grain was born out of a desire to create beautiful, hand crafted furniture that is unique, full of character, made to order and built to last. “The business has grown organically based on web based sales and word of mouth, but we’re excited to take Off the Grain to the next level with space in Tong, our first retail outlet, so that people can see the quality of our work first hand.” Tong’s Sundries Buyer, Phil Hemmings is pleased to welcome the new supplier to Tong: “We love to showcase great local producers and Off the Grain caught our eye after a visit to their workshop where we were impressed by the team’s care and attention to their craft and ethical approach to product sourcing and sustainability. “It’s good to be able to offer our customers something hand crafted, unique and custom made in Yorkshire.” In addition to the planters and companion bench, Off the Grain’s hand crafted oak table and bench sets will be on display for bespoke customer orders. Off the Grain employs 22 people at its workshop in Greetland. Tong Garden Centre occupies a 19 acre site in Tong village. It is one of Yorkshire’s biggest independent garden centres with 125,000 square feet of retail space and parking for up to 700 cars.
