The Chamber was founded in 1856, at a meeting of merchants on 24 January,[5] during a period of economic depression.

Active in the 1860s, the Chamber floundered somewhat before an 1869 reorganisation that opened its ranks to a wider variety of merchants, on an annual subscription basis.

[5] Following its inception it focused on issues ranging from remedying trade abuses and obtaining adequate facilities for businesses, to standardization of grain weights and simplifying the customs tariff.

[6] Michael Barnett was the chief executive and spokesperson for the Chamber from 1991 until 2022.

[7][8] The Chamber provides support to businesses, hosts events and training courses, and publishes business-related information.