THE Vale of Evesham's business community will be meeting in the Northwick Hotel, Evesham, next Thursday over a business lunch to launch the Vale 100 Business Forum on behalf of the Vale of Evesham Commerce and Tourism Association.

Vernon Powell, the new chairman of VECTA, said: "The event will be short and punchy, with two keynote speakers that will help delegates realise that so much can be done to the mutual advantage of business and the community."

The meeting starts at 11.30am and ends at 2.30pm and Mr Powell said: "By that time we hope we will have yet more people joining our business and retail action group. I am sure that we will reach our target of 100 members to launch The Vale 100 Forum which will give local businesses a real voice."

Lew Hammond, Evesham Market Town Partnership manager, said Mr Powell was a brilliant choice to take over from John Stych, VECTA chairman for the past five year because he was head of the Vale Group, had been trading in the area for more than 25 years and had lived in the Vale all his life.

Mr Hammond added: "The Retail Seminar, held in January, was a tremendous success. An action group has been formed within VECTA, a committee elected and an exciting Action Plan has already been initiated, including the 6-in-1 Festival in June.

"What is now needed is some business sector input, some entrepreneurial steerage to make this really work. Just a few members more and we can launch The Vale 100 brand, then the sky's the limit."

Anyone wanting to attend the event, sponsored by Evesham Town Market Partnership and VECTA, or seeking more information can contact the forum co-ordinator Carol Aitken on 01386 565133, email carol.aitken@wychavon.gov.uk, or Lew Hammond on 01386 565518, and lewis.hammond@wychavon.gov.uk.