A POST on a local restaurant’s Facebook page last week ignited a flood of
opinions about what is wrong with business in Swan Hill.
Customers blamed
high prices and weekend opening hours. Retailers blamed high rents, rates and
insurance premiums.
What everyone did agree on was that Swan Hill seemed to
be lagging behind other regional towns such as Echuca and Bendigo.
Local retailers at the heart of the debate are reluctant to
speak out on the issue of vacant shops for fear of retribution.
They list
high rents, rates, insurance premiums and lack of free carparking as some of the
issues which may be impacting retailers at a local level.
One retailer
willing to speak out on the issue was Solz Shoes owner Sharon Pascoe.
She
said Swan Hill’s rental market was prohibitive, noting comparative shops in
Echuca, Bendigo and even Brunswick’s Sydney Road were cheaper than what she was
paying.
Having celebrated her 16th year in business last week, Ms Pascoe said
as a retailer it was disheartening to read some of the negative comments which
had emerged on Facebook as a result of the discussion.
While her store was
actually praised on the site, she said she felt for fellow retailers.
“We do
try really hard,” she said.
“Tourists continually praise our shops and the
variety we stock.”
Ms Pascoe said part of the problem lied with comparing
Swan Hill to other regional centres.
“I wish people would stop comparing us
to Bendigo — they have a population of 82,000, Swan Hill has 10,000,” she
said.
“Mildura has a population of 30,000, Swan Hill has 10,000.”
***
IT WAS a lack of support for extended trading hours which initially prompted
Tellers restaurateur Tania Sennar to voice her concerns on social media site,
Facebook.
Tania and her husband Kyle have owned and operated the restaurant
for the past eight years.
While the restaurant has been a resounding success,
in a bid to continually cater for the needs of their patrons, they recently
decided to trial an extended trading period.
Growing up in Swan Hill, Ms Sennar has been
involved in the hospitality industry her whole life.
In light of recent feedback, Ms Sennar went out on a limb and responded
to those requests by extending her trading hours.
However, three weeks into
her trial, Ms Sennar said the result had been disappointing.
Not one to give
up without a fight, the passionate restaurateur turned to the their Facebook
site in a bid to generate interest and spread the word.Little did she know
her comments would ignite debate in relation to Swan Hill’s Central Business
District and the number of empty shops.
“I was surprised by the reaction,” Ms
Sennar said. “It’s been crazy.”
The site has now had more than 9000
hits.
“I initially posted the comments to let other
business owners know we are all in the same boat,” she said.
Passionate about
supporting the local town, Ms Sennar said all local businesses were feeling the
pinch.
She said rates, rents and insurance premiums were some of the main
challenges faced by local businesses.
Surprised by the support she has
received in recent days, Ms Sennar said it was time the community united in a
bid to solve the issue.
“Maybe it is time for a forum,” she said. “Let’s
stick our heads together and do something about it.
“It’s time to share our
resources and work together to find a solution.”
For Michelle Brady’s full special report on Swan Hill’s business struggles, pick up a copy of Friday’s Guardian (January 24).
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