With Christmas just around the corner, residents are being urged to ‘Shop and Dine Local’, and give independent businesses the boost they need at the end of the year.
The campaign is being spearheaded by Penrith CBD Corporation, which is calling on locals to shop close to home over the festive season.
Penrith CBD Corporation CEO, Gai Hawthorn, said this is the season to give back and support small businesses in the Penrith and St Marys area.
“We need to remind our local community how important it is to invest back in local business,” she told the Weekender.
“They are the heartfelt best part of Penrith because without them we would all be travelling a long way away to do things or buy things.
“We really want people to support our local businesses, especially our restaurants, cafés, retailers and services.”
Hawthorn hopes people will rediscover some of the amazing stores that line the streets in the Penrith and St Marys CBDs.
She also said that people who choose to spend their money locally really are making a difference in their community.
“We have really diverse and unique businesses in the arcades and up and down High Street, so take a stroll and have a look,” she said.
Last week, Penrith CBD Corporation launched its ‘24 Days of Christmas’, which will showcase local businesses and their offers this Christmas.
Hawthorn said that Penrith CBD Corporation is heading a number of initiatives this month.
She said it is all about spreading awareness and cheer, emphasising that it is much bigger than just grabbing a bargain locally.
“Don’t just think it’s about buying a gift or having dinner locally,” she said.
“If you do support a local business, it’s supporting your local economy and perhaps in the future creating jobs for yourself or your children.
“We all want to work close to home and the only way to do it is to grow our local economy. So, you’re not just getting a bargain you’re actually helping your local area.”
Interest rates being left on hold on Tuesday is a massive win for retailers heading into the final few weeks of shopping for the year.
“Retailers are going to do what they can to get shoppers through the door this festive season, so we encourage Aussies to head to the stores and get in on these huge bargains because it will be a buyers’ Christmas,” said National Retail Association Deputy CEO, Lindsay Carroll.
Formerly with the ABC, Makayla is a graduate of Western Sydney University. She covers a variety of news topics for the Weekender, including courts.
