It was a tough winter for many of Merimbula’s businesses, but it’s slowly turning around, Merimbula Chamber of Commerce treasurer Serge Nachtergaele said.
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“It’s always hard for our businesses during the winter period but this year we had a cold winter and our businesses really felt the pain.”
“It’s always hard for our businesses during the winter period but this year we had a cold winter and our businesses really felt the pain.”
- Serge Nachtergaele
“The good news is over the last week we have seen it turn around, last weekend [September 27, 28] I noticed that a lot of accommodation providers were full.”
Being the middle of the school holidays, a long weekend in Canberra and having the Pambula Bike Show and Pambula Motorfest there’s no doubt that there were more people in town that weekend but Mr Nachtergaele said this doesn’t necessarily mean more people through retail doors.
“This is one of the main things the Chamber of Commerce is trying to improve, we want to encourage people to shop local, to get out there and support our small businesses.”
To help stimulate the economy the Merimbula Chamber of Commerce teamed up with 2EC to promote local businesses in the annual crazy day sale, this year dubbed ‘Spring into Merimbula, Spring Madness’.
Along with 2EC’s live broadcast from Hylands Corner there was free facepainting and balloon creations for the kids, an ice-cream eating competition, a health and fitness demonstration and live music.
The street was lined with balloons and local businesses joined the celebrations by offering sales and giveaways.
Chamber of Commerce president James Smith said the day was a huge success with some businesses reporting an 10-15 per cent increase in sales in comparison to last year’s crazy day.
The Chamber of Commerce was selling their buy local shopping bags and also gave away 10 ‘Why Leave Town’ Merimbula gift cards which can be used at 80 locations around Merimbula.
“The Why Leave Town cards were organised by the Chamber as a way to encourage people to spend their money in town.”