What is the MBA?
The Marsden Business Association was started in February 2003, replacing
the earlier Marsden Traders Group. We are a group of local businesses
who want to make sure that the village stays viable and vibrant.

What does the MBA do now?
We meet four times a year to discuss issues affecting business and the village.
Working with other groups in the village to help promote Marsden locally
and in the region. In the past 18 months the MBA has:

• Designed, produced and distributed the first and second Marsden map leaflets
• Co-ordinated late night opening and refreshments for the Christmas Lights Switch-on
• Organised a Treasure Hunt for children at the Switch-on
• Donated collecting boxes to Marsden’s Community Association with and co-ordinate the
  distribution and collection of the boxes. to help pay for the Christmas lights
• Opened up channels of communication with the Council – we are now contacted and consulted
• Started regular distribution of minutes to local businesses
• Set up a bank account
• Initiated links to other organisations within and outside the village
• Commissioned a database of Marsden businesses
• Sourced funding from the Rural Business Network for a Business Directory and a website
• Represented Marsden Businesses in the Renaissance Market Town and other initiatives
• Published the Marsden Business Directory and distributed to all households in Marsden



What does the MBA want to do?
We want to keep Marsden’s unique character, and we want to ensure that
the village stays alive. We have loads of ideas and plans, some of them
immediate and some longer-term.

• Increase membership.
• Maintain and increase the high profile of the MBA.
• Produce and distribute the Business Directory, to all households in the Marsden area.
• Work more closely with other village groups.
• Get more involved in village activities.
• Attract more businesses to Marsden.
• Work towards more events in the village, such as regular Farmers’ or Craft Markets.
• Continue links with KMC, so the MBA is consulted on matters affecting the village.
• Ensure Marsden benefits from the Renaissance Market Towns initiative.
• Work with other local business networks to access extra funding for activities.