Community questions mount as Gloucester Chamber future remains in doubt

THE future of the Gloucester Business Chamber seems no clearer after a recent public meeting.

As previously reported in NOTA (11 March 2026), after 99 years the Chamber is facing likely closure.

It was standing room only at the meeting on 26 March, which was organised to discuss the Chamber’s future, and to give members of the community an opportunity to have their say and ask questions.

It was noted that it was not an official meeting of Chamber members and therefore no binding decisions could be made.

The meeting began with immediate past Chamber president Matt Clinch outlining the problems facing the business group, including the fact that it presently has no committee members and is in debt.

“Where we ended up was two or three people doing everything – everything from all the financial stuff, running the Hub, cleaning the Hub, running the Markets, coordinating the other programs that happened underneath, the advocacy, going to the Council, going to Federal and State members,” said Mr Clinch.

“What we are asking, and I hope lots of people have thought about it, is what are you willing to get involved in?”

He then outlined the alternatives to closure, such as continuing the Chamber and/or its various activities such as New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Madonna from Bucketts of Pride expressed concerns over the Chamber’s financial transparency.

“We ask for things and they are not done, bank statements – we don’t get them,” said Madonna.

Anna from Bucketts Way Neighbourhood Centre suggested the Chamber did not offer appropriate support across the business community.

“Your focus as the Chamber is only retail and tourism,” said Anna.

“I’m not feeling the love as a service/health industry.”

Another audience member, Jo, wanted to know details of the Chamber’s financial figures, and complained that when she was a member, she never received notification about membership payments being due.

“I’d just like to know how much money the Chamber makes, and how much has gone out,” said Jo.

“Are we running at a small loss?

“Are we running at major loss?”

In response, Mr Clinch informed the meeting that in the last 12 months the Chamber had made a loss of $16,000.

Attendee Linda, who consults for government, said the Chamber’s business model was unclear.

“Its model should be sitting on top and connecting other organisations, but it’s not doing that,” said Linda.

“But it’s trying to run all the organisations itself.”

Attendee Sandra, who has a history of past involvement with the business group, said she was sad the Chamber was facing closure after 99 years, but expressed concern that it may not be meeting its Fair Trading requirements.

“Continuing the Chamber as it is, is fraught with risk,” she said.

Local retailer Evette indicated that she had left the Chamber because it did not listen to local business owner’s real concerns.

“Who’d want to take on the Chamber in this state?” concluded Evette.

Toward the close of the meeting, attendees were asked to note on a sheet whether they would be interested in becoming involved in any of the Chamber’s present activities.

By John WATTS