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Influx of small business

Staff ReporterNorth Coast Times

SBC North West Metro manager Mark Diggins said his diary was regularly full for the fortnightly visits to Yanchep, a change from when it started providing support there about three years ago when two or three people would meet him.

‘Times are obviously hard, especially for some of the existing businesses but there’s certainly lots of new business coming into the area as well,’ Mr Diggins said. Having people starting up gyms and electrical contractors recently, Mr Diggins said all kinds of businesses were moving in.

‘People are saying, ‘how can I streamline my business?’ and people are starting to embrace new technology to try and get a foothold in the market,’ he said.

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Mr Diggins said networking opportunities had increased for businesses in the area, with the Y Club providing regular events for local business people to mingle, and Yanchep Beach Joint Venture planning a small business expo at the Yanchep Central shopping centre on July 19.

The business advisor said competition from outside was felt most by the service industry, such as cleaners and handyman contractors, and leases had not filled as quickly as hoped in the shopping centre.

‘That does suggest that things might be tight for retail, as it is down in Joondalup,’ he said.

Mr Diggins said from July 1, State funding for the SBC would focus solely on existing businesses rather than start-ups.

‘We get a lot of businesses that are moving into commercial premises for the first time, or taking on staff for the first time.’

Mr Diggins said the SBC gave people a free, one-hour consultations to put together a business action plan.

With population growth likely to increase demand in the northern corridor, he said SBC would expand its service to Alkimos from next March, complementing Yanchep and Clarkson.

– Business, page 12