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As the Britannia Association is registered as a
charity, its activities are limited to those that directly support
its charitable objects. That does not include the profitable
provision of products and services to members, or indeed to others.
To do that the Association has to set up a company, which it owns,
and which gift aids its profits to the charity. If it gives all its
profits to the charity it makes no profit, and therefore pays no
tax. That Company is Britannia Association Ltd (BAL).
Its director is Charles Howeson for the present.
For the moment at least, the main source of
income is the shop in BRNC. This is operated by Sodexho, who are the
college catering contractors. In return for them running the shop,
bars and laundry at a profit, they have undertaken to pay a fixed
sum to the College. Thus BAL is protected from the impact of
stockholding and demand risk while its working capital is very low.
However, the shop, although it does well selling logoed clothing etc
to the YOs at BRNC, will need more trade from its association with
BAL if it is to make enough profit to cover its annual commitment.
BAL will therefore be looking at what product lines would be
attractive to BA members, and others, and at increasing
opportunities to buy them by better using the web site and by mail
order.
Selling in a small market is a challenge. But although size matters it is not the only thing. By comparison with our membership of just over 1,000, the RYA with 98,000 members has drastically reduced its branded products in recent years. But the Annapolis alumni association with 47,000 members has a successful portfolio of goods. At the moment we have a limited range - cuff links, two ties, and commemorative port - but we are considering other clothing, luggage, group travel offers, calendars and diaries among other things. Market research will be very important, so members please click here and give us your suggestions and views.
BAL will also be looking for opportunities to add value for members even if it does not generate immediate income and profit for the company. Adding to the benefits of membership will help in recruiting and retaining members and thus in the long run increase the market and sales. In this category come the discounts with other companies and use of college facilities at reduced rates we have arranged for you. We hope to be able to use the web site more and better - for example, the members' area will let you look up old acquaintances, it may be a useful place to network when the time comes to leave.
We hope that BAL will be able to make a posisitve contribution to the BA.
Contacts:
BRNC Shop manager Graham Tweed 01803 677118
Director Charles Howeson
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