Marden Business Forum began life in 2006 when a few local business owners came together to create a united voice, with the aim of lobbying local authorities on behalf of the business community regarding issues directly affecting their companies.

Since it's formation, this select group has grown to over 130 companies that are actively supporting each other and working together to promote the economy of Marden.

The Marden Business Forum (MBF) is an unincorporated, non profit making body, in which everyone contributes their time, resources and skills voluntarily and free to the benefit of Fellow members.

Membership is open only to Marden Businesses and we aim to encourage the use of local firms, wherever possible, to boost Marden's local economy. Local work is more profitable, with both the buyer and the seller able to enjoy the savings.

Some of the many Benefits of the £50 annual membership fee include:

Benefits

1. Free adverts in the A-Z and classified sections of the MBF Directory, which is delivered throughout Marden and surrounding areas
2. Free adverts under your alphabetical and classified headings in the on-line Directory at www.mardenbusinessforum.com.
3. Free advertising of jobs and property and items for sale on our members' website.
4. Free entry to MBF regular social networking events.
5. Free entry to fortnightly business breakfast meeting for those members who are serious networkers.
6. Free advice on legal issues from a local professional.
7. Free advice on HR issues from the HR department of a local company.
8. Free advice on accounts issues from a local professional.
9. Free counselling from our industrial chaplain for business owners and their employees concerning stress, bereavement, relationships, alcoholism, drugs or even just someone to listen.
10. Free entry onto the exclusive Forum business owners only email group, which is used to seek and give advice between members on anything. Do you know? Where can I find? Can you help?
11. Save advertising and agency fees by emailing any job opportunities to your fellow members.
12. Email for Business Crime Watch. Share you local information on suspected criminal activity.
13. Free stand at exhibition to showcase your business.
14. The MBF works closely with the Parish, MBC and KCC. Just a few of the examples during in 2009 are, the MBF paid for every child in Marden Parish to receive a Christmas present from Father Christmas, and organised the children's Christmas parade through the village. We were successful with negotiating MBC and KCC for double yellow lines under the Railway Bridge, and changing Library car park restrictions to allow village worker's parking. The MBF were instrumental in winning "Village of the Year" Business Section for Marden in 2009.
15. Business and community working together supporting local organisations.