Town’s businesses urged to heed rallying cry (From York Press)
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Northallerton’s businesses urged to heed rallying cry
12:07pm Wednesday 10th October 2012 in Business news
By Julie Hayes, Business editor
A NORTH Yorkshire town is rallying its retailers and businesses to provide a voice for commerce in the town.
Businesses in Northallerton will hold an open meeting on Thursday, October 25, to discuss ways of increasing collaboration.
Organiser Gareth Dant, who runs a PR company from offices in the town, said the town’s Chamber of Trade had been dormant for more than six years, leaving no unified voice for traders and others with an interest in the commercial viability of the town.
He said: “Even going back to the late 1990s when I was a cub reporter here, there was no effective collective voice for Northallerton’s retail interests.
“The Chamber of Trade did a valiant job, but I’m told it tended to be same people making all the running and bothering to turn up. No wonder it ran out of steam.
“We have a wonderful town with many great things to be proud of and shout about, but times are hard – and getting harder. We can’t just sit back and wait for someone else to make that noise on our behalf.”
Mr Dant, who has given the idea a working title of Northallerton Retail & Business Forum, said he had discussed the issue with political representatives, retailers and other business people across the town and he was keeping an open mind about the model which may ensue.
“Even if we just end up with a Facebook group and an email database that would be better than nothing, but it would be great to perhaps see some modest investment coming forward for some collaborative marketing to help bring more shoppers to the town, especially as we approach the busiest time of the year.”
The meeting, which will be held at Northallerton Town Hall at 6pm, will also be attended by Northallerton Chamber of Trade’s last chairman, Jim Turnbull, owner of Atlantis pet shop and a member of Northallerton Town Council.
Developments can also be followed on Twitter at @NorthallertonBz
