SERVING BRIGHT, POREPUNKAH, MT BEAUTY, TAWONGA, TAWONGA SOUTH AND DISTRICTS
Choose Local By KELLIE SHEPPARD ALPINE district chambers of commerce are standing behind the need to support local business in a bid to help their communities thrive once more. Mt Beauty Chamber of Commerce president, Glenys Peacock, understands that her community is acutely aware that businesses are struggling as a result of the global pandemic, and that buying or shopping local has never been more important. “We all know that many businesses have been struggling,” she said. “We know because our favourite cafés, restaurants and retailers are closed. “Cellar doors are closed and our talented artists are not able to entertain, photograph events and be creative. “We know people who have lost their jobs or had their hours reduced, and we all dream of the time when we can have our small towns hustling again.” Across the hill, Rupert Shaw, president of Bright Chamber of Commerce, says that it is more than just the financial impact that is affecting our towns. “The rules have not been consistent which has been confusing for business owners and staff alike,” Mr Shaw said. “Each time the rules change, new systems must be implemented, staff need to be retrained and customers are left angered.” Both agree that casual employees and lower income families have been hurt the most
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
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A BIG HEART | Gather and Harvest owner Lee Docherty is very grateful to the community for their support of small businesses that are the heart of the town.
by restrictions and empathise with their struggles, simply encouraging them to consider a local business first. “Our businesses are a part of our community that love to employ locals and provide a number of services that people do often look for elsewhere,” Ms Peacock said. “By choosing local instead, we can all help to ensure that our community remains strong.”
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One local business adapting as best they can to continue to provide for their locals is Gather and Harvest in Mt Beauty, who have increased their online presence to enable customers to be able to access product when the store front is closed. “The locals have been so amazing,” owner, Lee Docherty said. “Every time we open our doors
between lockdowns, they are there supporting us. “The last 20 months have been financially and mentally tough for everybody but making sure that towns like ours can retain those little shops is so important. “To lose those, is to lose the heart of the town.” As a recognised tourist region, Mr Shaw is concerned for the recovery of the hospitality sector with many chefs and hospitality workers being forced to leave the industry. “The numbers are set so low at the moment that many businesses are choosing to remain closed as it is just not viable for them to open,” he said. “They would be losing money if they did. “It is going to be so important to support those, and all other local businesses as they reopen. “The money you spend in a local business is recycled back into the community. “These people are your neighbours and they employ your friends and children.” Echoing the sentiment of how businesses fit into the local community, Ms Peacock shares the thanks of local businesses on behalf of Mt Beauty members. “Our businesses want to thank their community for supporting them,” she said. “We are all locals, we all play sport together, our kids go to school together, our businesses are a social outlet as much as anything but most of all, we care for each other which is what really counts.”
THE ALPINE
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