Vol. No. Vol. 2118No. 5 27
FREE PUBLICATION
Wednesday, January 2016 Wednesday, August13, 1, 2018
A FREE PUBLICATION FROM YOUR LOCAL RADIO STATIONS 3WM AND MIXXFM
Business booming H
BY JENNY SHAND
orsham Rural City Council’s Stephen Pykett believes confirmation of a major retail chain opening in the rural city reflects
growing interest from businesses keen to move to the area. The economic development manager said his department was negotiating with several businesses which, like Best&Less, saw strong opportunities in locating in and around the Wimmera’s capital. “I am directly involved with about four or five significant prospects to do with manufacturing, and in the service industry with one that is in late-stage negotiations,” Mr Pykett said. “At the end of the day, it’s all very strong and positive.” Mr Pykett said while nothing was ‘signed on the dotted line’, the confidential discussions were a great sign for future growth and job opportunities in Horsham. “I’m also aware of organisations who are already here looking at potential expansion,” he said. “These organisations are secure in what they do and secure in their market.” Best&Less, which plans to open in Horsham Plaza late this year, has already started advertising for a store manager. Plaza manager Allison Roberts said attracting Best&Less to the shopping hub showed the national retailer recognised Horsham’s strengths and opportunities. “We are excited by the employment opportunities for Horsham and the extra variety that will be offered,” she said. “It’s not just positive for Horsham Plaza, but for the town and the region as well.” The retailer will occupy space vacated by NQR earlier this year. “There is significant work involved in Best&Less coming, which will commence in the coming weeks. They expect to start trading in late November or early December,” Mrs Roberts said. Up to 30,000 people visit Horsham Plaza a week, with half the customers from Horsham and nearly all the remainder from across the Wimmera.
Mr Pykett said agricultural sector activity, windfarm and solar initiatives, combined with construction of Horsham’s Wimmera Cancer Centre and growth in the school sector were helping to drive development across the city. But he stressed it was also vital to nurture existing businesses in the town to keep the economy resilient. “It’s all a package we need to bring together – maintaining jobs that are here and bringing new opportunities in,” he said.
Review
Mr Pykett expects to brief the council on a Wimmera Business Centre review this month. The operational review, carried out over two months by an independent consultant, has put the council-funded organisation in the spotlight to help tailor the best possible service for businesses. “We are looking at what’s happening in other places, emerging business trends and the most suitable service we can provide to assist new and emerging businesses in the area as well as give support to the ones that are already here,” Mr Pykett said. “It’s important to step back and make sure what we are doing is fit for purpose.” His comments come as the Victorian Government’s Small Business Festival kicks off across the state, with a series of events and workshops in Horsham and other Wimmera towns during August. Mr Pykett said the sight of empty retail spaces in Victorian towns and cities showed a retail industry in transition, with online shopping a major trigger. “Online has changed the face of retail and it’s something of a double-edged sword,” he said. “It’s given businesses the opportunity to sell into the wider world, but we also need to make sure we support ‘bricks and mortar’ so we have vibrant business activity in town as well.” Mr Pykett remained confident Horsham offered great opportunities for business. “While there are a few vacant retail spaces, I look at other spaces and see very vibrant businesses and retailers who are doing exceptionally good work,” he said.
FROM ANY ANGLE: Beaming Edenhope P-12 College foundation student Jayce Schapell takes a moment to share his work with photographer Paul Carracher during a visit by The Weekly Advertiser to the region’s south-west. For a gallery of pictures from Edenhope P-12 College, visit www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
IN THIS ISSUE • Money promise for river plan • Tourism jewel on market • Football-netball coverage Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
AUDITED: 22,589 COPIES
October 2017 to March 2018
Source: AMAA; CAB Total Distribution Audit for further information visit www.auditedmedia.org.au
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
MANICURES & PEDICURES Located at Shop 15, Horsham Plaza, opposite Sanity