PRESIDENT Andrew Dickson has assured Bolton and Bury Chamber members that a major shake-up will be "the best of both worlds."

Proposals for the creation of a new North Manchester "Super Chamber" are to be considered at a rescheduled extraordinary general meeting on Thursday, May 8.

Its original EGM, which was due to take place at the end of March, was postponed when last minute changes were made to the original merger proposal.

Plans to merge with Rochdale and Oldham Chambers to form a North Manchester Chamber of Commerce remain unchanged, but no longer include a formal merger with Business Link North Manchester.

Business Link, however, would form a close alliance with the three Chambers and there would be a joint board of directors overseeing all the organisations.

Mr Andrew Dickson, the Bolton and Bury President, said: "We apologise to members for the postponement of our original EGM, but the proposed merger is complex and last minute changes were made to the structure of the company to ensure that the best long term interests of Chamber members were served.

"The three chamber boards are strongly recommending the revised proposal to our combined 2,800 members.

"Our overriding goal is to benefit Chamber members locally and across North Manchester."

He went on: "We strongly believe that the merger will offer members the best of both worlds.

"It will make them part of a more powerful regional organisation which can champion the North Manchester economy.

"It will also provide bigger networking and lobbying opportunities, while retaining local identity and operation."

Bolton and Bury Chamber members are being invited to consider the revised merger proposal at an extraordinary general meeting at Commerce House, Bolton on Thursday, May 8 at 8.30am.

More details are available from Paul Norris at Bolton and Bury Chamber on 01204 374608.