BIM24750 - Meaning of trade: mutual trading and members clubs: mutual associations: specific activities: Chambers of Commerce - introduction and layout of guidance

Chambers of Commerce are local, independent, non-profit making and non-party political organisations. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappy are funded by membership subscriptions. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappre is a representative body, »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp British Chambers of Commerce to which most Chambers are affiliated. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp British Chambers of Commerce maintains a website .

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp typical Chamber is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee.

Chambers exist in most towns and cities. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappir articles usually say that the purpose of the Chamber is to protect and promote commerce and manufacture of the locality. Chambers vary in size; some count their membership in thousands and some have less than a hundred.

Chambers provide services and member benefits under a range of headings:

  • services to individual members (for example business training, information resources, networking and savings on essential overheads),
  • access to a range of suppliers of products and services including stakeholder pensions, healthcare, legal protection and digital certificates, and
  • association with the world-wide network of Chambers of Commerce enabling easier entry to the global marketplace and access to influential decision makers and opinion formers.

Over the years there has been a trend to become more commercially orientated. This has involved the development of income streams beyond membership subscription.

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp following guidance covers:

BIM24755

Is the Chamber trading?

BIM24760

If the Chamber is trading, is that trade a mutual trade?