Sodbury and Yate Business Association

Latest News

Prize Draw Boosts Local Shopping

A dozen businesses in Sodbury and Yate joined forces to promote shopping in the local area with a Prize Draw.

Each contributed to a prize fund of £120, to be spent as vouchers in any of the participating shops and businesses.

Mayor Paul Whittle selecting the winning entries for the S&YBA prize draw, with Claire Jaggard from MyYate and MySodbury.co.uk and Chairman Kevin Brown, reproduced by kind permission of RichMcD Photography

Entry to the draw was free and open to all, with entries received via MyYate.co.uk and MySodbury.co.uk, as well as at the Local Expo trade fair.

The winning entries were selected by Mayor Paul Whittle: first prize (£80 in vouchers) went to Chris Taylor from Corsham and second prize (£40 in vouchers) went to Claire Wiltshire from Chipping Sodbury. Happy shopping!

MP Supports Local Businesses

Local MP Steve Webb attended a recent meeting of the Sodbury and Yate Business Association to gather the views of local businesses on both local and national issues.

Transport, business funding and communication were among the issues discussed. Mr Webb offered support and advice to the Association and its members and will attend future meetings where possible.

Steve Webb at the S&YBA, reproduced by kind permission of RichMcD Photography

The Business Association represents businesses in the greater Sodbury and Yate area and having formed in December has received tremendous support.

It has already been represented at meetings with The Yate Strategy group and representatives of both Waitrose and the developers of the Barnhill Quarry site in Chipping Sodbury.

The Association's Chair Kevin Brown said ‘We really want to be known as the voice of local businesses and to make a difference locally'.

All local businesses are welcome to attend meetings of the Association. Please visit www.sodburyandyate.biz for further information.

New Website

The Association's new website is now up and running, and will be improved over the next few weeks. Visit www.sodburyandyate.biz

Barnhill Development

The Association is following plans to bring a Waitrose to the area. Find out more on the Barnhill Development page. We'll be updating the page regularly... so check back for news.

Business Issues - Have your Say

South Gloucestershire Council's Economic Development unit would like to know what the key challenges are facing your business during the current economic climate.

The information you provide will be used to help inform future developments of the Economic Development strategy.

To send your comments, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/BusinessMatters, and follow the 'Have your say' link.

Historic Chipping Sodbury Town Hall Has New Photograph On Show

A very special photograph of Chipping Sodbury has just been placed on exhibition in the Town Hall, a gift from local photographer Rich McDonough to the Town Lands charity which owns and runs the building.

Chipping Sodbury Photograph, reproduced by kind permission of RichMcD Photography

Nearly a metre across, the image shows the High Street area, captured in one day in late 2009. Rich, who normally specialises in portraiture, commercial and wedding photography, had been asked to take some photos of the town for use on souvenir mugs, produced by local magazine The Boundary.

However, back in his studio at Chipping Sodbury Rich experimented by stitching together the digital images to make a panorama of what is one of the most picturesque High Streets in the country.

The Boundary Editor Angie Lane was one of the first to see the resulting image and commented “the picture had an immediate WOW factor, there was an amazing amount of detail.” Made up of 42 separate images the image had taken over two months of work.

On receiving the gift, Jim Elsworth, Chairman of the Town Lands Charity, said: "Trustees of the Town Lands Charity are pleased to accept the photographic montage of all the properties in "The Street". We are sure that display in the Town Hall lounge will create a lot of interest for the people of the town and visitors alike.

The montage, which shows the properties as they are today, contrasts and complements the early 20th century photographs in the main hall".

Limited edition, signed A4 and A3 prints of the image are available at Sodbury Pavilion (25 Horse Street Chipping Sodbury) and Art & Frame (35 South Parade Yate).

Further information and high res photographs of the presentation can be obtained from Rich McDonough on 07768 033097. Town Hall Contact - Nicola Gideon on 01454 852222

Free office furniture

Do you or someone you know need desks, filing cabinets etc?

If so, please contact Susie Amey on as she has a client who is looking to recycle second hand items free of charge.

Articles by Richard Churchill: Keeping your computer secure

If there is one topic that worries most computer users it is viruses (and other nasties) that get on to your computer uninvited and wreak havoc.

But what can you do to protect yourself? You need security, some friendly programs that keep an eye on your computer and keep the malicious programs out.

Click here to read Richard's series of articles

Who are we?

Click here to see our list of members

The purpose of the group is to work as a united body with aims that reflect the local needs and aspirations of member businesses.

The Sodbury and Yate Business Association was inaugurated on 12th November 2009.

Officers were elected and a constitution was agreed.

Recent Actions and Achievements

• January 2010 - Exec committee met the developers of the Barnhill Developmentk to find out how this will affect local retailers and businesses
• February 2010 - Local Shopping Prize Draw organised to raise the profile of local businesses and encourage shoppers to spend their money in Chipping Sodbury and Yate
• February 2010 - Steve Webb MP invited to Sodbury and Yate Business Association meeting to discuss local business issues and how he can help

Benefits of Membership

• Involvement with developments and issues affecting Chipping Sodbury, Yate and the surrounding area
• Access to the facilities of GWE Business West. Visit their website for business news and information: www.gwebusinesswest.co.uk
• Free listing on MyYate.co.uk and MySodbury.co.uk, and the Sodbury & Yate online Business Directory
• Business support and training
• Networking opportunities
• A chance to help the local communities of Yate and Chipping Sodbury

How to contact us

If you run a local business and would like to benefit from being part of the Association, please get in touch with Kevin Brown, Chair of the Sodbury and Yate Business Association.

Kevin runs his own business (UHL, a commercial utility brokerage firm) and can be contacted on 07884 005368 or by email on: