The Caledonian Road Traders Association provides a voice for all local businesses and traders in the Caledonian ward, known affectionately as ‘The Cally’.  

The group set priorities for improving the local economy, working together with fellow local business owners to influence change through the delivery of projects and key involvement in shaping council decision-making around local economic development.

Objectives  

1. To provide a representative voice for all traders located at Caledonian Road.

2. To influence Islington Council and other regulatory authorities on issues of concern to members of the Traders Association. 

3. Promoting the area to make Caledonian Road a place where people want to shop and dwell.  

4. To keep the Caledonian Road marketing initiatives including social media and micro websites updated.  

5. To manage communication via the WhatsApp Group. Information sharing is at the discretion of the Co-Chairs.  

Organisation name:  

Formally known as the Caledonian Road Traders Association the organisation is colloquially referred to as the Cally Road Traders Association.  

Membership  

Membership of the Cally Road Traders Association is open to all traders and businesses in Caledonian Ward. Membership is free and is voluntary with no minimum or maximum period.  

The CTA subscription list is currently hosted on WhatsApp, though businesses are given the opportunity to opt out and be recorded as a member of the association in an internal document for CTA records. The CTA are currently in the process of developing an internal subscription list, to replace the WhatsApp group. This is to recognise that not all CTA members will want to be part of an online group yet still access the privileges of membership.  

Any removal from the WhatsApp group, and thereby the association, is a decision taken by the Board members. Please refer to the Terms of Reference for further information on the rules of use.

Associate Membership  

The CTA Board are responsible for overseeing projects and activity of the Caledonian Traders’ Association. The Board currently comprises of the Chair, Paul O’Brien (owner of Sunflour Bakery), and the Treasuers, Neil Gathani (owner of Caledonian Pharmacy). 

The Executive Committee will at its discretion admit as an associate of the Cally Road Traders Association any organisation that falls outside Caledonian Road.  

Meetings of the Caledonian Road Traders Association   

Meeting frequency is on a quarterly basis. 

Meetings of the Executive Board members   

Meetings of the Executive Board are on a monthly basis.  

Executive Board Members   

Chair 

Paul O’Brien  

Treasurer   

Neil Gathani   

Other Board members may be co-opted with the agreement of the Executive Board.  

Facilitating and supporting establishment of the Cally Road Traders Association   

Local Economy Officer of the Caledonian Ward  

Financial Control  

The Executive Committee will control the funds of the Cally Road Traders Association. The two signatories of the account are the members of the Executive Board consisting of Paul O’Brian and Neil Gathani.  So far, foundational projects have been delivered to build momentum such as a website and loyalty card.

Any financial accountabilities will be discussed and concluded by the Executive Committee.  

All projects and areas of spend will seek consultation with the wider Cally Traders Association. 

Responsibilities of the Executive Committee  

General duties:

• Engage with the Cally business community on key priorities and challenges, and co-design projects and initiatives to support the local economy in close collaboration with the wider Cally Traders Association. 

• Attend a monthly Board meeting to discuss project updates and priorities, with the insights gathered from the whole CTA. 

• Hold a whole-association meeting every quarter. 

• Help organise or shape local events such as the Cally Festive Event and Cally Fest, to ensure the local business community has a strong presence and can benefit from the events. 

• Contribute to how funds are spent.

• Represent the traders association externally.   

• Manage the traders WhatsApp group in a respectful and none judgmental manner.

 Chairs:   

• To attend the occasion meeting at the request of London Borough of    

              Islington and if attendance is not possible to arrange for an appropriate  

              representative.   

• To hold an executive committee meeting every month.  

• To hold a Traders Association meeting quarterly.

• To consult with traders and businesses events and promotions.  

• To contribute to how funds are spent.  

• To represent the traders association externally.   

• To manage the traders WhatsApp group in a respectful and non- judgmental  

              manner.  

Treasurer: 

• To keep the association accounts up-to-date and transparent.  

• To arrange the Cally Road Traders Association community banking facilities.  

• To seek external sponsorship and funding for promotions and projects.  

• To attend executive committee meetings.  

• To contribute to how funds are spent.

• To represent the Traders Association externally.  

Signed:  

Paul O’Brien - Co-Chair  

Neil Gathani - Treasurer

Florence Cole – Facilitator & LBI Local economy Officer of the Caledonian Ward