The Barking and Dagenham Chamber of Commerce

From the persepective of an intermediary organisation, the Barking and Dagenham Chamber of Commerce (BDCC) has lots to offer.

The BDCC has been in existence since 1953 and for the first half of those 50 years it serviced a community that was largely fed by the Ford car trade. 30 years ago Ford left the area and it has taken a long time for the community to recover and rebuild.

BDCC is doing its bit, by working with businesses to create wealth for the community.
it has four areas of activity
- networking: businesses finding each other through networking events. We went to the networking event and met people in the cleaning business, accountants, trainers, builders, consultants, retailers and manufacturers
- lobbying: for example, they work with local Members of Parliament to solve the traffic problems that limit trading possibilities in the area
- Raising the profile of businesses - through an annual exhibition, and b having members host networking events
- Providing information - databases, forwarding people to local businesses, and other things.
BDCC offers a tailor made service: You can ask them anything, if you are a member.

BDCC generously welcomed us to their monthly networking event for free. They advised us to bring a list of what we want to supply. Dina Bina and I worked with a Sacoma designer ad had a very good list with which Dina could wok the room.