Marlow Traders Bridge Closure Claim Group (MTBCC)

Marlow Traders Bridge Closure Claim Group (MTBCC) formed with support of Town Council

A new action group has been formed to support Marlow and its businesses. Known as the Marlow Traders Bridge Closure Claim Group (MTBCC), the group includes a number of local traders and Richard Scott, Jocelyn Towns, and Chris Funnell from Marlow Town Council, together with representatives of the business community Tamra Booth of Sorbon Estates and Mark Howard of fst.

This group is suggesting taking a similar approach to that of BCC in lodging a claim against Girteka, the haulage company whose 37.5-tonne truck crossed Marlow bridge in September causing its closure.  A thorough inspection of the bridge is currently taking place and details of any damage and remedial action should be available by the end of this week.

The Group is recommending the appointment of Harris Balcombe, a specialist loss assessor, led by partner Jonathan Samuelson, to handle the claim and a number of retailers have already agreed to their appointment. (Their previous expertise included the successful representation of the traders at Cockermouth, where the town’s bridge was swept away, necessitating a 30 mile detour.)

The closure has had a major impact on local traders and a private meeting has been arranged for Thursday, 10^th November, at 6pm for retailers to meet with Harris Balcombe.  The meeting will be hosted by Burger’s on the Causeway and anyone wishing to make a claim should attend this meeting.  If they are unable to make this meeting they should inform Robyn Sutcliffe of The Perch coffee shop and complete the claim form that is being distributed to all traders by hand during this week.

Following this meeting and irrespective of any insurance claim, the group will develop a marketing campaign to encourage shoppers, residents and visitors back into the town to ‘Shop Local,’ emphasising that Marlow is very much open for business, and to remind visitors that a car is not the only way of getting to Marlow.

There is plenty happening in Marlow Town throughout November and December. ‘Switch on and Shop’ takes place on Thursday, November 24^th, featuring the lovely Mary Berry and ‘real’ snow. Late Night Shopping is on Thursday December 1^st and on Thursday, 15^th December, the family ‘Carols on the Causeway’ get-together takes place, with mulled wine and mince pies and Father Christmas for the younger visitors.

There will be three free parking days, with no charge in the car parks in Marlow all day on November 24^th (Switch On), December 1^st (Late Night Shopping) and Sunday 4^th December for the Santa Fun Run.

Please spread the word, and traders, please do attend the meeting on Thursday.