BUSINESS has been promised more clout in the corridors of power after Canterbury Chamber voted to team up with Ashford.

At the annual meeting in the Chaucer Hotel, members voted overwhelmingly to turn the chamber into a division of Ashford Chamber of Commerce. The switch is effective from the start of 2004.

More than 30 members attended the crucial meeting and all except one voted for the change.

Canterbury will join Maidstone Chamber, which has also become a division of the profitable Ashford chamber in the past two months.

Maidstone's situation was different because the previous chamber went into liquidation with debts of around £40,000.

Ashford declined to take on the debts but agreed to take over the organisation, including setting up an office in the town centre.

A similar plan is envisaged for the profitable Canterbury chamber. A new office will be set up in the city when suitable premises can be found at the right price.

A new committee will take over from the existing board. Chairman James Cross, who now runs the chamber from his home, has been invited to sit on a new planning and economic development committee.

Mr Cross and Chris Capron, chief executive of the Ashford chamber, will meet councillors and officials soon to seek their backing for the new arrangement.

Mr Cross welcomed the move, saying it would give businesses in Canterbury more clout, especially in controversial issues such as the local plan.

"It leaves most of the important roles for the Canterbury chamber in Canterbury," he said. "Primarily we were trying to lobby to get a better deal for business and with a

bigger chamber, but local representation, we ought to be in a better position to be able to achieve it."

It would also avoid duplication and give the chamber a stronger membership base "in the fullness of time”.

Mr Capron said it was not a takeover but a stronger chamber would offer real benefit to members. He wanted to grow the current membership of around 90.

"As an accredited chamber -- which Canterbury was not -- we can offer services that would not be available to a town chamber," he said.

There was a trend towards larger chambers and Canterbury would be part of that.

"As far as lobbying and representation is concerned, it will give Canterbury a much stronger voice."