Back in business!

By Callan Date
WELCOME to Narre Warren.
That is the message being pushed by the suburb’s chamber of commerce as the organisation holds its first official meeting in several years next Monday.
The Narre Warren Chamber of Commerce has been dormant for almost four year but is now on its way back and is hoping to put the Webb Street shopping precinct – along with business in the north, south, east and west of Narre Warren – back on the map for shoppers.
The News has followed the chambers’ revival since July when chamber president Bob Burns voiced his concerns over several issues the traders were facing in the area.
A lack of parking, grid-locked traffic conditions and a lack of suitable public transport were just a few of the issues put on the agenda by Mr Burns and his colleagues looking to breath life back into the chamber.
After meeting with other local chambers, including the Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce and Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce and also Casey Council, Mr Burns said the Narre Warren group was ready to take the next step.
That will happen on Monday 29 October when the chamber meets.
Mr Burns wants interested Narre Warren business owners and community groups to come along and have some input into the chambers’ future direction.
“It’s not just about the Webb Street area. It is about all of Narre Warren including the lifestyle centre, home business operating out of the Narre Warren area and community organisations,” Mr Burns said.
“We are looking to promote and offer opportunities for increased sustainability and prosperity for our customers and community.”
Jane Kelly, from the Office of the Small Business Commissioner (OSBC), will be a guest speaker on the night.
Ms Kelly will talk about how the OSBC can lend support to small business and an array of other issues facing local traders.
Mr Burns said as the chamber began to establish itself again, sub-committees would be formed to look after the different aspects of the group.
“We will have sub-committees that focus on specific areas of interest. We would have a Webb Street group and so on.
“The chamber will also provide great networking opportunities for community groups and businesses.”
Anyone wanting to attend Monday night’s meeting is asked to RSVP by calling Sue Bennett on 9704 7388.
The meeting will start from 6pm at Narre Community Learning Centre, Malcolm Court, Narre Warren.