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Good access is good business‘Good Access is Good Business’ is a new initiative being launched by Latrobe City, to assist traders to improve access to their businesses. By Latrobe City - 7th May 2003 - Back to News ‘Good Access is Good Business’ is a new initiative being launched by Latrobe City, to assist traders to improve access to their businesses.
Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Graeme Middlemiss, said that Council was working in partnership with the Moe Development Group, Newborough Village Traders and Access Audits Australia to present an information session at the Moe Town Hall on Thursday 15 May 2003.
"More than 35% of the Victorian population experience disability, either permanent or temporary, and therefore choose their shopping, business and tourist destinations according to ease of access and quality of service," Cr Middlemiss said.
"We are not necessarily talking about people who need wheelchair access. People with visual impairments or hearing difficulties, parents of young children and a significantly increasing number of older adults also experience access barriers. This makes up a sufficiently large proportion of the population who are having to consider the logistics of taking a trip to the shops or booking a holiday," Cr Middlemiss continued.
"By holding this session, we can highlight the importance of access to the traders and businesses, giving them the information and resources required to assist them to better meet the needs of existing customers. We can also help them to keep pace with the changing demographics of their customer base," Cr Middlemiss explained.
"It makes good business sense to ensure products and services are available to all members of the community," Cr Middlemiss said.
Daryl Larsen, proprietor of Larsen’s Jewellers in Moore St, Moe has openly embraced the ‘Good Access Is Good Business’ concept.
"When we opened the store, it was important to have good flow for people accessing and moving around the place. As a jeweller’s, we wanted access for everybody, but had to keep store security in mind.
"With a tradition as a family orientated store we wanted to ensure we catered for all people including those with prams or pushers, and people using wheelchairs," Mr Larsen said.
Tony Flynn, president of the Moe Development Group agreed that it was not only a business owner’s responsibility to provide good access, but it made good business sense too.
"Traders need to take responsibility to provide a full range of services to all members of the community. Good access is a simple way of being able to provide those services," Mr Flynn said.
Merton Ward Councillor Lisa Price, said that the information session was a must for all Moe business owners.
"I would encourage all traders in Moe to attend the session and to look at their own premises in relation to access. We can make Moe a great place to shop, with ease of access for all," Cr Price said.
The free information session will be held in the Moe Town Hall foyer on Thursday 15 May between 6pm and 8pm. Finger food and drinks will be served from 6pm. Traders wishing to attend can register their attendance by ringing Latrobe City on 1300 367 700. For further information please contact Bill Lawler, Project Officer Rural Access at Latrobe City.
‘Good Access is Good Business’ is a new initiative being launched by Latrobe City, to assist traders to improve access to their businesses.
Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Graeme Middlemiss, said that Council was working in partnership with the Moe Development Group, Newborough Village Traders and Access Audits Australia to present an information session at the Moe Town Hall on Thursday 15 May 2003.
"More than 35% of the Victorian population experience disability, either permanent or temporary, and therefore choose their shopping, business and tourist destinations according to ease of access and quality of service," Cr Middlemiss said.
"We are not necessarily talking about people who need wheelchair access. People with visual impairments or hearing difficulties, parents of young children and a significantly increasing number of older adults also experience access barriers. This makes up a sufficiently large proportion of the population who are having to consider the logistics of taking a trip to the shops or booking a holiday," Cr Middlemiss continued.
"By holding this session, we can highlight the importance of access to the traders and businesses, giving them the information and resources required to assist them to better meet the needs of existing customers. We can also help them to keep pace with the changing demographics of their customer base," Cr Middlemiss explained.
"It makes good business sense to ensure products and services are available to all members of the community," Cr Middlemiss said.
Daryl Larsen, proprietor of Larsen’s Jewellers in Moore St, Moe has openly embraced the ‘Good Access Is Good Business’ concept.
"When we opened the store, it was important to have good flow for people accessing and moving around the place. As a jeweller’s, we wanted access for everybody, but had to keep store security in mind.
"With a tradition as a family orientated store we wanted to ensure we catered for all people including those with prams or pushers, and people using wheelchairs," Mr Larsen said.
Tony Flynn, president of the Moe Development Group agreed that it was not only a business owner’s responsibility to provide good access, but it made good business sense too.
"Traders need to take responsibility to provide a full range of services to all members of the community. Good access is a simple way of being able to provide those services," Mr Flynn said.
Merton Ward Councillor Lisa Price, said that the information session was a must for all Moe business owners.
"I would encourage all traders in Moe to attend the session and to look at their own premises in relation to access. We can make Moe a great place to shop, with ease of access for all," Cr Price said.
The free information session will be held in the Moe Town Hall foyer on Thursday 15 May between 6pm and 8pm. Finger food and drinks will be served from 6pm. Traders wishing to attend can register their attendance by ringing Latrobe City on 1300 367 700. For further information please contact Bill Lawler, Project Officer Rural Access at Latrobe City.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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