The Altrincham and Sale Chamber of Commerce is a membership organisation of businesses in the Altrincham and Sale area who collectively seek to further the business interests of the local community.
Every month we feature a different business as our "Member of the Month"
We are governed by a Board which is made up from our membership and have a small office on Greenwood Street, Altrincham just opposite the iconic market.
Our President acts as the visible “face” of the Chamber at our own or other events. The Chair of the Board leads board members in setting the strategy and direction for the Chamber and our office staff and CEO to manage day to day matters.
Their role is to further the interests of businesses in Altrincham and Sale. They act as champions, campaigning voices and high-profile, visible representatives of the Chamber and its members.
In 1909 four local businessmen met in a shop in Stamford New Road to create the Altrincham & District Traders' Association (ADTA), now the Chamber of Commerce, with the object of “serving the Public and Traders of the town and surrounding districts with regard to the welfare of Traders and their employees, for the general wellbeing and prosperity of the Town.”
They were; Robert Gatley (President), Mr H C Skipper, (Chairman) Sam Burgess, (Secretary) and James Brown, (Treasurer)
The Chamber’s ‘Handy Book and Street Guide’ produced in 1933 gives a unique insight into the centrality of the Chamber to the Town’s economy. The introduction trumpets their conviction that “VALUE and SERVICE is the keystone in the contact between the customer and the trader.”
“…the Altrincham Trader can supply your requirements whether they be – ‘Things to Eat, Things to Wear, Things to Use or Things to Enjoy.”
The recession in the 1980s replaced the optimism of the 1970s.
These were challenging times for both towns, Chamber Gen Sec Tony Littler observing in 1991 that Altrincham was “Bumping along the bottom of recession but easing out of the slump with care” Sale and Altrincham Chambers eventually amalgamated in March 1999.
In 2010, the Chamber celebrated their 100th Anniversary, becoming one of the oldest remaining truly independent Chambers in the Country. A plaque was unveiled at Altrincham Town Hall, where President Jackie Campbell welcomed special guest, 93 year old Basil Morrison, the Chamber’s longest serving member.
A ‘supersonic’ centenary dinner was held beneath the wings of Concorde at Manchester Airport.
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