THE future for Whitstable's historic Chamber of Commerce is looking bleak after the annual meeting backed calls for closure. There were not even enough members present to vote on the issue. But those who were there decided to start winding down the association before calling a special meeting in the summer to make a final decision.

In the meantime, no money will be paid in or out and the group's campaigning will reduce. President Robin Waters said: "I am very upset but we really have no choice. We are now suffering from past attitudes and 83 years of history is winding down. But this is not for the sake of shouting about it. People just do not want to listen."

The meeting had started in a more positive mood, with the nine members who attended calling for the group to continue representing the traders and business people in the town. Secretary Dickie Bird said: "It would be a dreadful shame if this chamber dies. Without us, who is going to fight the case for all you business people?"

Mr Waters proposed a stay of execution until December but had to abandon that after it was revealed that several committee members wanted to resign. There were three other resignations from the committee, including the treasurer, and Mr Waters himself had planned to step down. Mr Bird also warned that ill health meant he did not know how much longer he could continue on the committee.

Mr Waters said: "It is my sad task to recommend to the meeting that, as we have no volunteers to join the board, I can't see how this chamber can carry on. We need to start looking at how to fold it. There is no other option available. We have no treasurer and other resignations and there is obviously a lack of interest shown by the number of people attending."

Herne Bay Chamber of Commerce secretary Dick Eburne, who attended the meeting as a visitor, said any members would be welcome to join the Herne Bay group. "We would hope to split off a Whitstable traders group again in the future," he said.