BUSINESSES on the Shire Hill industrial estate are isolated from the rest of the town and need stronger representation, believes chairman of the Saffron Walden Business Forum (SWBF), Richard Swain. I have spoken to several of the businesses on the estate

BUSINESSES on the Shire Hill industrial estate are isolated from the rest of the town and need stronger representation, believes chairman of the Saffron Walden Business Forum (SWBF), Richard Swain.

"I have spoken to several of the businesses on the estate and there's a general feeling that more should be done to promote their interests in the area," he said.

"One of the ideas is to install a sign at the entrance to Shire Hill which clearly indicates what businesses are operating and where they are situated."

Mr Swain stressed than the SWBF was not exclusively for the retailers in the town centre and was looking for broader representation including businesses on Shire Hill.

"If there are enough businesses who want us to push the local authority for better signage in the area, then the forum is happy to take the issue up for them," he said. "But we would urge businesses to contact us by email or come along to our next public meeting and let us know."

The SWBF will be holding a public meeting on Thursday December 3 at 6pm (venue is yet to be decided).

Other issues being discussed will be the Saffron Walden loyalty card scheme where all the major partners will be announced and, now that funding has been secured, what the next steps are.

And people will be asked to discuss ways in which to make late night Christmas shopping 2010 a bigger and better event.

Anyone with an interest in Saffron Walden's business community is invited to attend the meeting. For more information visit their website at www.swbf.org.uk or email chairman@swbf.org.uk.

If you are a new business in the town, or an established business with a story, let us know by calling the newsdesk on 01799 512882/3 or emailing editor@saffronwalden-reporter.co.uk