SMALL businesses are the lifeblood of a flourishing city centre, according to visiting Senator Scott Ryan.
Mr Ryan, the shadow parliamentary secretary for small businesses, visited Geelong’s Chamber of Commerce yesterday to meet small business owners and discuss issues affecting them.
“Small businesses are absolutely critical to keeping city centres alive,” Mr Ryan said.
“People like the variety and the personal touch and the diversity they offer.”
Mr Ryan said small businesses were very diverse, operating in retail, manufacturing, hospitality and other industries, which meant the problems faced were often specific to each one.
“They all face a different issues, but there are a few of the same challenges that come up such as industrial relations and access to finance,” he said.
“I’m speaking today to people who have been in business for decades and I’m here to listen to the challenges and how the government can make it easier.”
Mr Ryan said problems with empty shopfronts and closing businesses could be fixed.
“All these issues can be turned around,” he said.
“Today is an opportunity to find out what we need to know and what the problems are now and what they will be in six months’ time.”
The senator visited some Geelong small businesses including Southern Cross Business Machines in Yarra St.
“We spoke about Geelong’s growth prospects and a few concerns I had about payroll tax and the need to technical expertise training,” owner Robert Hunter said.
“I was very impressed with him, he was quite knowledgeable and I was happy to have the chance to talk business with him.”