New-look magazine for Bournemouth businesses

Business and civic leaders were out in force at a magazine launch in Bournemouth tonight.

Chamber Matters is the redesigned publication of the Bournemouth Chamber of Trade & Commerce.

The new monthly mag, which will have an online edition via the Chamber website, follows a thorough revamp by print solutions company Copyplus Publishing.

Chamber President Nigel Hedges performed the launch by tearing the ribbon and gift wrap from an A0-size front page replica of the first edition. He was watched by more than 150 invited guests on the terrace and lawn of the Miramar Hotel.

Mr Hedges encouraged Chamber members to share their news through the magazine and keep it “vibrant, vital and exciting”. He said: “The printed word on paper still has a vital part to play.”

After the speeches and the canapés were finished, the waiters brought out trays with - what else? - copies of the first edition.

A good read it was too, with informed comment on the Town Centre Master Vision, the Bournemouth Air Festival, the importance of reputation building in tourism, and many other topics.

With so many councillors and officers attending, tonight’s event clearly demonstrated the strong ties between the business community and Bournemouth Council, a relationship that must be successful for the town to continue developing as a major resort.