Competition a success for shop local cause

Christmas has come early for the first prize winner in the Collie Chamber of Commerce and Industry Christmas in July competition.

Australind woman Gemma Fitzgerald won $1500 worth of shopping vouchers while the winning participating business, White Building Company, won a marketing package with the South Western Times and Southern Cross Austereo.

“It was a lovely surprise because I don’t usually win much,” Mrs Fitzgerald said.

“I think it is fantastic the Collie chamber do the competition because it promotes people to shop local.

“It will be easy for me because I can use the money to finish off some things around my house which has just been renovated.”

Collie Chamber of Commerce chief executive Bec Woods said during the competition period, more than $900,000 was spent through 23 participating businesses.

“Shopping local takes everything from the customer to acknowledge it, to the businesses to help and the chamber to support, so when they are all working together, you get good results,” Ms Woods said.

“Shop local has been around for a long time so its giving customers the incentive to shop local and it is clearly working.”

Collie Betta Home Living store owner Malcolm Humphryson said the competition was an incentive for more people to shop locally.

“It drives customers into your store and it promotes the town instead of having customers shopping out of town,” Mr Humphryson said.

“Most importantly, if you don’t shop locally you’re going to have no shops in the local area.”

“It is a good size figure for the town promotion and it was throughout 23 stores who was involved with it so it was good to see.”

The main idea behind the competition is to promote people to shop and support local businesses.

Second prize winner Jan Turner won $500 in vouchers and Jason Gibson won $300 worth for third.

Ms Woods said the vouchers could be spent at 55 local stores.