By FITA Secretary Sue Sheppard
A successful inaugural meeting of Folkestone Independent Traders (FITA) has been held at a packed Beano cafe in Folkestone on January 23rd 2012

 

The meeting pulled in a good mixture of shops and businesses determined to help each other and promote Folkestone.

Chaired by Chris Raines from CopyLink the meeting set the ground rules by placing low priority for needless paperwork and focusing on working hard for its members.

Two major activities were agreed  during the lively meeting.

Firstly the publication of The Folkestone Shopper as a quality give-away booklet with an aim of 2,000 copies to be distributed across key target areas of Folkestone. Each booklet will have not only interesting information about FITA members products and services, but also relevant local information that will make it a must read for Folkestonians.

The second  top priority action was to publish a world class website, which will be linked to the existing tourist website Discover Folkestone amongst others.

The website aimed at bringing shoppers and purchasers into Folkestone will incorporate social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

Warren Sutton, well known for designing Creative Quarters, and local MP Damian Collins have agreed to provide an initial free webpage and to help devise a truly creative FITA website.

Careful consideration was made by the 22 businesses present to the urgent need to be self financing.

Therefore although FITA have put in for a Shepway Grant it was unanimously agreed to set a realistic fee of £15 for The Shopper and £25 for Website membership.

It is thought the slogan 'FITA for the future' sums up the intentions perfectly.

© Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2012