01278 228004

Chamber News

You are here: 

Sedgemoor Chamber of Commerce to Register for VAT from 1st May 2025

Thursday 17th April, 2025

In recognition of its exceptional growth and expanding services, Bridgwater Chamber (soon to be Sedgemoor Chamber of Commerce) will become VAT registered effective 1st May 2025. This milestone underscores the Chamber’s continued success in connecting, promoting, and supporting more than 230 member businesses across the region.

Roger Smith, General Manager. “By registering for VAT, we can reclaim the tax on our own expenses allowing us to reinvest more funds into member events, training programmes, and digital resources.

Key Details:

  • Effective Date: 1st May 2025

What This Means for Members:

  • Enhanced Services: VAT recovery on Chamber expenditures frees budget for additional workshops, networking events, and exclusive member benefits.
  • Transparent Pricing: All future invoices and event fees will display VAT clearly, ensuring full compliance and straightforward accounting.

Matt Ruddle, Chair, added, “Our journey from a local Chamber to a district‑wide organisation reflects the strength of our community. VAT registration is another step forward.

Members are encouraged to update their records and address any invoicing queries to  accounts@bridgwaterchamber.org.uk.

Latest news

Free online course helps Somerset business leaders think differently about growth
August 21, 2026

Somerset business owners and managers looking to sharpen their strategic thinking now have access to a free, entirely self-paced course designed to do exactly that. Help to Grow: Management Essentials distils the essential business concepts needed for growth into short, practical videos that can be completed at work, at home or on the move. Created…

Read More
Free diplomatic expertise now available to help Somerset businesses trade internationally
August 21, 2026

Somerset businesses looking to start or grow exporting now have access to a free source of expertise few SMEs can usually tap into: the UK's own diplomatic network. The Diplomatic Advisory Hub, a joint initiative between the FCDO and the British Chambers of Commerce, offers businesses direct insight from the UK's international diplomats, entirely free…

Read More
Fully funded robotics and AI programme opens for Somerset manufacturers this autumn
August 21, 2026

A new fully funded training programme is opening this autumn for Somerset manufacturing and production businesses looking to build their skills in robotics and AI, with places limited and interest already building ahead of the first cohort. The AI-Ready Robotics Workforce Programme is delivered by UWE Bristol through the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, in partnership with…

Read More
Somerset employers: modern work experience reforms open a new route to future talent
August 21, 2026

From September 2026, schools are being encouraged to reform how they deliver work experience, with a stronger focus on giving pupils meaningful, real-world exposure to the workplace. For Somerset employers, that shift is likely to mean more requests for involvement, but it also opens up a genuine opportunity to shape the future workforce and raise…

Read More