Beckenham Business Association has just appointed a new Chairman and Patron. Lesley Appaduray, Principle of Appaduray & Company which deals with Accounting and Taxation on behalf of local businesses, has been voted in as Chairman and Bob Stewart, MP for Beckenham has been approved as Patron.

The Beckenham Business Association re-launched at Friction Lounge, Beckenham on Wednesday 13th April. Friction Lounge hosted the event with a warm and friendly atmosphere and a splendid complimentary buffet.

Almost 60 businesses attended the event, along with Local Ward Councillors, Cllr Sarah Phillips, Cllr Russell Mellor, Portfolio Holder for Renewal and Recreation Cllr Julian Benington, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Stephen Carr, the Local Police Safer Neighbourhood Team and Nicola Musto, Town Centre Manager for Beckenham. Plus there were representatives from Southern Gas Networks and council officers from the Traffic and Parking departments.

The event gave businesses the opportunity to exchange views, have questions answered and put across suggestions to the Council.

MP Bob Stewart said: “I am delighted to have been asked to be Patron of Beckenham Business Association. A thriving local business community is vital to Beckenham and I will do all I can to help propagate business in our local community.”

The quarterly Beckenham Business Association meetings give people the opportunity to network, getting to know other local business people and, by working together, could help to grow the profile and brand of each other’s ventures.

Participants also get the chance to help influence local council decisions by meeting with local ward councillors and communicating with council officers giving them more say on how the High Street is managed.

Paul Bailey of Bailey Ahmad, licensed insolvency practitioner, is the Treasurer and Jackie Groundsell, Director of 1230 The Women’s Club has agreed to be the Secretary for the BBA. Sharif Uddin, Director of SSJ Accountants, has also agreed to be Deputy Chairman.