EVERYONE is being urged to buy local and support small businesses.
Highlighting the vital role of small businesses in the nation’s economic recovery and in keeping communities thriving, the ‘Go Local First’ initiative is funded by the Federal Government and coordinated by the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA).
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator Michaelia Cash described the country’s 3.5 million small businesses as “the heartbeat of their local communities”.
“When they thrive, communities thrive and the national economy prospers,” she said. Also urging people to consider local shops if they go out, Merrylands Chamber of Commerce president Immanuel Selvaraj says their members, who are spread across Cumberland, are continuing to face hardship due to the pandemic.
“The Chamber would like to highlight that every time consumers visit a corner store or a local retail store, local family benefits,” he said.
“Retail stores have been one of the hardest hit sectors during this pandemic due to closures.” He added that the Chamber had a panel planned for September to discuss strategies to help businesses get back on their feet.
Business owners in Cumberland also pointed to some other benefits for shoppers, with Sarah from Empire Flooring in Regents Park, saying buying close to home is “easy and less time is wasted”.
Nicole from Advance Professional public accountants and registered tax agents, says that while the Auburn town center is always busy, especially around the train station, that is one of the reasons it is a good place to shop.
She said the wide variety of groceries and food on offer along with the number of professional services on offer, also made it very convenient.
“While you are doing your grocery shopping, you can drop in and get your tax done,” she said.