BOLTON & Bury Chamber of Commerce is part of a new nationwide "super league" launched today. Board of Trade President Ian Lang unveiled the scheme for a network of 52 top chambers designed to help drive British business into the next Millennium. They have all been evaluated rigorously over the past six years to achieve "approved" status from the British Chambers of Commerce.

The BCC believes the new, professional network, which represents more than 100,000 British businesses, is now one of the most advanced in the world.

It is designed to provide UK companies with a range of quality assured services and give them powerful representation at local, national and international levels of business.

To be accepted as part of the new network, the Bolton & Bury Chamber had to demonstrate quality assured standards of performance in a number of key areas.

These included representation, international trade services, provision of information, training courses, seminars and other events.

Financial viability, administration, marketing and staff development programmes were other key factors. But the BCC is looking for even higher standards from its network members and expects them all to gain 'Investors in People' status or ISO 9000 by January 1,1999 and become "accredited" members.

They will also be re-assessed every four years to ensure that standards are maintained.

Mr Brian Smith, Chief Executive of Bolton and Bury Chamber of Commerce, said today that the Chamber was proud to be a member of the new network, which would enable it to forge even closer links with other Chambers around the country.

He said: "Chamber membership now means more than ever before, as approved status demands that chambers are more responsive to the local needs of businesses. "Chambers, like businesses, have a lot to learn from each other and the development of the approved network will allow the swell of ideas and innovations that exist within Chambers to become a shared resource."

Mr Smith added: "The launch of the approved network, together with the Chamber's recent announcement that it is to apply for merger with Bolton Bury Training and Enterprise Council, heralds an extremely exciting and challenging period for the Chamber.

"I am confident that it will result in an enhanced package of services and membership benefits on offer to local businesses."

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