ST HELENS CHAMBER is in a strong position because of the level of support businesses look for during a recession.

The organisation is one of the largest Chambers in the country, with nearly 1,300 members and 160 staff.

Its work is focused in four areas business support, encouraging enterprise and start-ups, assistance to unemployed people through Starting Point, and providing training solutions.

Accounts just filed at Companies House show its turnover increased by s1m to s10.6m in the year to March, which translated into a 28% rise in pre-tax profits, to s790,000.

The Chamber is a not-for-profit organisation with retained profit being transferred to members funds, which stood at s2.88m at the year end.

St Helens Chambers chief executive Kath Boullen said: The economic downturn continues to present a challenge and opportunities for the Chamber.

In times of need, businesses need to work harder and smarter and communities need more help and support. This puts the Chamber in a strong position.

The new facilities in the modern new premises present a great platform for the Chamber to step up its work and ensure it further develops its approach and becomes even more relevant to the customers it serves.

Therefore, the services delivered by the Chamber have again been tailored this year to support businesses and individuals through the difficult economic climate and be well positioned to take advantage of improved conditions once the recovery begins.

The Chamber moved in to its s6m purpose-built headquarters in the town centre at the start of 2009, which included an enterprise greenhouse which offers affordable space for start-up businesses.

It has struggled a little to attract start-ups, and 15 of its 31 units were occupied at the year end.

The Chamber said that during the year it had assisted 4,128 businesses and 1,056 economically inactive people were helped back into work, while 307 businesses were created during the year.