THE support of traders and consumers will help Bungay bounce back from the recent spate of closures, the new president of the town's chamber of trade said this week.

THE support of traders and consumers will help Bungay bounce back from the recent spate of closures, the new president of the town's chamber of trade said this week.

Suzanne Warren, installed in office at last week's annual meeting of the chamber, said Bungay had always been able to come back from such set-backs.

"Any town goes through peaks and troughs and it will pick itself up again," she said. "It just needs enthusiasm and support, not only from the traders

but also the consumers, and it will get that."

She was speaking following the closure of the Three Tuns Hotel and the planned closures of Read's Sports and Menswear and the HSBC Bank Bungay branch.

After taking over from outgoing president Yvonne Baynes Ms Warren said she was looking forward to the year and representing all businesses in Bungay.

"My aim is to continue Yvonne's hard work in promoting Bungay and raising the profile of all the establishments - including those which provide services, such as builders, plumbers and electricians who, like shop traders, are a much valued part of the community and welcome to join the chamber and have a voice," she said.

She thanked Mrs Baynes for her two years work as president, and said she was excited about the future events in and around Bungay, including the festival, and the Starlight evening for the switching on of the town's Christmas lights.

Ms Warren chaired the Stalight committee last year, and plans to be involved again this time.

She moved to Bungay eight years ago, lives at Mettingham, and for the past four years has run her men's hairdressing business, Short Sir-Cut, in Cross Street. She has a 17-year-old son, Ben, and a

13-year-old daughter, Amy.

At the annual meeting Mrs Baynes said there was great camaraderie in the chamber "and people are very committed to moving Bungay forward and putting the name of Bungay around and getting its message out to a wider public," she

said.

"I want to thank everyone for their support over the past two years, because without other members committing time and effort we would not have got as far as we have.

"We have made progress in reaching the public and making Bungay a name that people recognise and want to come and visit because something is happening there."

Ken Skipper, of Cork Bricks Antiques, was elected treasurer and Geraldine Cosgrove secretary. A new committee was also elected, and it will meet for the first time on March 5 at the Butter Cross Teamrooms.