How can we promote, grow and sustain our Halswell businesses in these times of social, environmental and economic change?

The  Halswell Residents' Association and the Halswell Community Project invite all businesses in Halswell to a meeting at Craythorne's Public House, 5.30 pm on Monday 19th August.  This is an opportunity to meet local businesspeople, network and think about the idea of forming a Halswell business association to strengthen and grow business in the area.  

Population in the area is set to double over the next decade.  In that event, Halswell be a suburb similar in size to what the City of Gisborne is now increase.  This brings in new businesses and increases demand for business.  On top of that, more people are now working from home, having lost their premises in the earthquakes.   

There are many small businesses in the area that it’s difficult to find out about.  As a result, Halswell people often go outside Halswell for their goods and services when they might be available here.   Likewise, it is surprising what we don’t have available here, given that the population of the suburb was about 14,000 back in 2006 and it has been growing ever since.

All this means there are great opportunities to promote Halswell business to Halswell residents and even to other Halswell businesses.  The business page on the Halswell Community Website and the Halswell E-Newsletter provide a starting point for doing this.  However, businesses in other places have found that having a local business association helps them to reap greater benefits by working together. 

A business association would create a strong central platform for dealing with issues facing businesses in the area and help to advocate for good local facilities (e.g. public toilets open 24/7).  Such an organisation might also allow businesses to access cheaper business supplies, for example, by buying in bulk. 

So to any and all businesses out there – sole traders, retailers, people working from home, tradespeople and other service providers, come along, buy a drink and do some networking, whilst having a bite to eat (food will be provided free).   

5.30pm Drinks and nibbles (Buy your own drinks, food provided)

6.00pm Speakers begin.  

• Anthony Barker, chairperson of the Sydenham Quarter will speak about the Quarter’s experiences with growing businesses and regenerating Sydenham by working collaboratively.   
• Lorraine Rouse from the Canterbury Employers Chamber of commerce will also speak about the services they provide and a collaborative business development initiative she was involved with.   

6.35pm:   Discussion of the issues and opportunities of doing business in Halswell and whether there would be benefit in forming a Halswell business association.

Cost: Attendance is free, thanks to Craythornes and Christchurch City Council for their generosity in supporting this

Please RSVP for catering purposes to Halswell.Newsletter@gmail.com or phone Chrys on 338-0313 by Thursday 15th August.