The aim of the LMBA is to "further the interests of members in any way and by any means deemed fit by the members".  A broad aim perhaps but, which largely consists of the efforts of the organisation, is to promote the work of local businesses, raise the profile of the village as a business community both locally and further afield and to encourage formal and informal networking and socialising opportunties for business people in the village. 

Current Aims:
The Committee has identified the following action list for the LMBA over the next twelve months:

Marketing

·           Develop and update the village website

·           Promote local publicity on behalf of the Long Melford Business Community

·           Prepare editorials ready to send out at short notice to publications on request

·           Improve 2-way communication with the local press to exploit marketing opportunities

·           Organise a speaker to appear on local Suffolk radio to promote the businesses of the village

·           Raise the profile of the LMBA by introducing an easily recognised logo for use by members and in press publications

·           Produce large tourist street map to display at various sites in the village

Lobbying

·           Develop improved links and a voice for members at the Parish Council, Babergh District Council and Community Association

·           Provide united lobby (perhaps with organisations above) to improve the broadband service to the village

Local and environmental issues

·           Encourage cleaner streets / frontages perhaps by a competition

·           Introduce a Long Melford 'Bag for Life'. If members signed up then costs could be reduced and could provide a space for promoting the village.

·           Develop a loyalty scheme to encourage members to use each others services

·           Raise local profile by offering support to a local charity

·           Consider involvement in a Street Fair or other more business friendly event such as a Christmas Market

Networking

·           Encourage members to be more aware of the other businesses in the village so that they can either use them themselves or recommend them to others in a mutually supportive way

·           Arrange networking events so that informal support and ideas generated can be of potential benefit to members

·           Organise Networking events to include The Summer Party and Breakfast meetings.