Graham Clayton of Claytons Jewellers in St Anne’s & Blackpool is taking the helm of the Lytham St Anne’s Business Development Association (BDA). Dave Harper of Options Mortgage Centre in Blackpool becomes the BDA’s new vice chairman.
Formed in 2005, the business group has generated more than £2 million-worth of referrals for over 100 members past and present. The current membership stands at over 20 North West businesses including a plumber, accountant, PR consultant, financial adviser and more.
The new chairman announcement comes after a challenging lockdown period for many. BDA meetings were held virtually until a few months ago. But now face-to-face meetings are back in full swing once a fortnight on Wednesday mornings at the Olive Tree Brasserie in Lytham.
New BDA chairman, Graham Clayton, said: ‘The BDA has offered an important source of support for our local businesses over the last couple of years. Even though we couldn’t meet in person, the resilience of members has inspired us all. We have all coped in different ways. And knowing that we are all looking out for each other makes a big difference.
I know that other networking groups thrive on business referrals alone. But there is an informal social element to our meetings which I know many of our members value most. 17 years and counting proves that we must be doing something right! I’m proud to be the new chairman and looking forward to the coming months.’
All the members of the BDA networking group are selected to ensure there is no competition between them; so the focus remains co-operative and collaborative. Because of this, the BDA accepts only one person from each trade or profession within the group.
New businesses are welcome. Businesses can find out how they can attend as a guest via the website www.thebda.co.uk.
In the featured photograph you can see: Centre Left to Right: BDA Vice Chairman Dave Harper of Options Mortgage Centre and New BDA Chairman Graham Clayton of Claytons Jewellers with members of the Lytham St Annes Business Development Association (BDA).
