By Jonty Ralphsmith
The Berwick and Beaconsfield Chamber of Commerce have launched ‘Local First’, an initiative to connect the community to businesses across the region.
The program kicks off in the week beginning Monday 28 March and gives people exclusive access to offers from local businesses.
Participating businesses receive marketing via social media and the Local First website.
To remain relevant, businesses can change promotional content to keep potential customers engaged long-term.
Among the first-up offers are a free traditional Vietnamese dessert from Lanterns Viet Kitchen, a free property appraisal from Just Real Estate and a free one hour introductory session at BFirm Personal Training.
Chamber president, Tammy Lobato encouraged people to get behind the initiative, supporting their community in the process.
“As Berwick and Beaconsfield residents, we are fortunate to have such a large array of retail, hospitality, trades and services,” Ms Lobato said.
“We need to ensure that array of local businesses continues to exist and it can only do that with the support of us residents.
“When we as residents support local business, our whole community benefits as a result from healthy local economic activity.”
Ms Lobato further emphasised the role that small business plays in the local economy and broader community.
“Local businesses buy local, employ local, pay taxes that contribute to local infrastructure and they support our local not for profit organisations,” she said.
“As a Chamber it is our purpose to support local businesses and this program is another way in which we do that.”
To participate, people should visit localfirst.org.au or scan one of the initiative’s QR codes in a participating business and browse through the businesses and their offers.
People should then enter their name and email address when inside a business profile and press the ‘claim offer’ button, which will then send an email with instructions on how to claim offers.
For a list of participating businesses and current offers, visit their website: localfirst.org.au
