TWO important business organisations are planning a local merger.

The directors of the Bolton Bury Training and Enterprise Council and the council of the Bolton and Bury Chamber of Commerce have agreed to take the first steps towards forming a single body.

It would become the Bolton and Bury Chamber of Commerce, Training and Enterprise in line with similar Government-encouraged moves elsewhere in the country.

A joint application to merge is due to be made to the Government by the end of March after a local consultation exercise.

It is likely that the forthcoming general election will delay any ministerial decision until mid-summer or early autumn.

Once approval has been obtained, the final decision will go to a vote of the Chamber's 1,000-plus membership.

The decision to become a CCTE was announced today by Chamber President Peter Weidenbaum and BBTEC chairman Tony Rink.

It follows months of behind the scenes discussions.

Mr Rink said: "This is a very important and positive move towards creating a simple but strong representational and support mechanism for businesses in the two towns.

"Local business people want ready access to and support from a single agency. This decision will bring together the Chamber, the TEC and Business Link into a cohesive and dynamic force."

Mr Weidenbaum added: "There is tremendous appeal in creating an organisation that marries the Chamber's name, traditions and voice of its membership to the TEC's staff resource and access to funding."

This is the latest in a series of changes involving the chamber, which is based in the imposing Commerce House in Bridgeman Place - the former National Union of Mineworkers' building.

Bolton Chamber of Commerce (established 1887) merged with the Bolton Chamber of Trade in 1992.

The following year the Bolton Chamber of Commerce, Trade and Industry and the Bury and District Chamber of Commerce (established 1895) joined forces to become the Bolton and Bury Chamber of Commerce.

The Bolton Bury Training and Enterprise Council, which plays an increasingly important role in the life of the town, was formed as part of a Government initiative in 1990.

It is based in Clive Street, Bolton.

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