By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
DANDENONG Retail Traders Association’s new chairwoman Glenys Cooper will be ‘angling’ for ways to bring customers back to Dandenong.
Her own fishing tackle shop Compleat Angler has been resolute during disruption caused by roadworks.
She wants the streets to be more car-friendly to help draw in customers.
“I’ve been lucky that I can contact my customers on a database and say the works are finished,” she said.
“For retailers like a bakery or a clothes shop, customers will just find a store that’s closer to them and not come back. Dandenong retail has gone through horrible times. It has been extremely tough but the roadworks are nearly done — I want to put it back on the map as a retail and business district.”
Ms Cooper has put a two-year limit on her tenure. She said it should be long enough to make significant changes — and one may be to change the association’s name to include ‘retail and business’ in the title.
Ms Cooper said she and a revamped, expanded committee would try to work with the Dandenong Chamber of Commerce and Greater Dandenong Council to bring traders’ views to the fore.
There will also be an internet presence — website and Facebook pages — to connect with traders.
Ms Cooper was grateful for the support of other businesses when her store, and $400,000 of stock, was destroyed two years ago. As she rebuilt, she felt she needed to give back on the DRTA executive.
She paid tribute to outgoing chairman Roy Aspinall, who has stoically led the association since its inception 16 years ago. “No one else had up their hand to say ‘hey, I’ll take on that role’. He’s given so much to the community in a huge way.”
Mr Aspinall, who approached Ms Cooper to take the reins, said he would continue to help where needed.
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