ST Albans is famous! We knew that anyway but it was very pleasing to see our city showcased on the recent More Th>n TV commercial over the weekend.

It certainly made me feel proud to live here and to have been chosen to appear, and I watched eagerly trying to spot people I know. Over recent years we have featured in many films, commercials and TV shows including Johnny English and EastEnders.

Radio Verulam is also making waves and have a new initiative called The Breakfast Team Challenge – an opportunity for your business to host your very own breakfast show. Team-building projects just reached a new high – you are invited to wake up West Herts with your very own show.This exciting new challenge is hosted by a highly experienced team of trainers, including an ex-BBC and Capital Radio presenter.

A unique opportunity that your team could be talking about for years to come, it involves developing their skills in all of the following areas: public speaking, better listening techniques, meeting tight team deadlines, greater local community awareness, team level decisions, competence in communication, delivering engaging dialogue, and shared team creativity. To register your interest or for more information call Energy on 07778 834504 or email energy@radioverulam.com

In times of austerity we all love a deal right? I met with Chamber member Charlotte Delcore last week who runs her own business called In A City Deals.

Charlotte says: “Our philosophy is simple: we treat our customers the way we like to be treated, and only sell products and services that we want to buy from independent companies in the area. We love finding new experiences! We want you to experience the best your city has to offer, so we find the things that define a place – the undiscovered jewels that will bring you excitement and adventure.”

Deals include discounts on beauty treatments, in restaurants, dog kennels, carpet cleaning, painting and decorating services to name a few.

Gone are the days when we feel embarrassed to use vouchers in our local restaurants, restaurateurs need bums on seats and let’s face it we all need to make the pennies stretch a bit further. Doing a regular deal with Charlotte can massively increase your profile in the community as she is very proactive with social media with her activities and deals. In A City Deals handpick experiences for you to share with friends, family, and colleagues. Without you spreading the word they wouldn’t be able to offer great deals at unbeatable prices, so you are encouraged to share the deals through Facebook, Twitter and email. To register go to www.inacitydeals.com and select St Albans. If you have a business service or product to sell and would like to work with Charlotte contact her directly at charlotte@inacitydeals.com

Do you know about the St Albans Cathedral Flower Festival?

For four days in September 2014, St Albans Cathedral will be transformed into a stunning oasis of colour and sound when the 2014 Music in Bloom Flower Festival opens to the public – 20,000 visitors are expected to visit during this period to experience one of the largest events in the region in 2014.

From huge constructions to delicate posies, the flowers will be themes to musical titles of every genre and the Cathedral will echo to the sound of local musicians, carefully chosen to complement the flowers and the setting.

The Flower Festival is very important to members of the Chamber of Commerce as there will be such a significant increase in visitors during the Flower Festival it offers a huge opportunity to local shops, restaurants and hotels helping boost the local economy. It is therefore important for everyone that this festival is as big and as successful as possible.

There are various sponsorship opportunities available for businesses to benefit from the huge publicity campaign surrounding this event, if you would like further information please contact Helen Gray at St Albans Cathedral on 01727 890229.

The Abbey is busy preparing for a very special historical celebration this year. St Albans City and District Council is working in partnership with St Albans Cathedral on a series of events to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the city’s role in the story of the Magna Carta. The Chamber website has a designated page listing the programme of local events scheduled during August. For more information about St Albans’ plans or to get involved, please contact Lesli Good, culture and heritage services manager at St Albans City and District Council at lesli.good@stalbans.gov.uk

I am sure the Abbey will be very full this weekend, if you have friends and family visiting over the long weekend break why not take them there for a visit? Wishing you a very Happy Easter.

The Chamber welcomes the following businesses to the Chamber: Bar Mezé, Barclays Business Property, We Buy Any Car.Com, Masters Games and Choice Buffets.