ON behalf of all our members I would like to wish you a very Happy New Year and I really mean the “happy” part of that greeting.

There is so much bad news on a wide range of fronts that it is all too easy to fall into despondency, complaining that nothing works properly and suggesting it’s impossible to do anything about it. That’s the road to a spiral of depression which doesn’t help anyone.

Whilst we have to be realistic about the things that are going on around us, I really hope that in 2026 we can bring back a feel good factor in the Chew Valley and a sense of optimism and confidence in what the future will bring. I am under no illusion that it’s an easy thing to achieve but I do think it should be our aspiration and we can do it by supporting one another.

All our members are working hard to provide you with a wide range of goods and services and I do hope one of your New Year resolutions will be to do your best to make use of our local businesses. Not only do they offer a personal service and allow you to make purchases without the need to drive further afield, but they employ so many people and can make our local economy a great success.

Thriving businesses are at the heart of a strong community. They also do a lot to support local events which play such an important part of what makes living in the Chew Valley so enjoyable. If they weren’t successful, they wouldn’t be able to do that and we would all be much the poorer for it.

To find out more about Chew Valley Chamber of Commerce visit: chewvalleychamber.co.uk

Sandy Bell, president of Chew Valley Chamber of Commerce