Anchor tenants generate business opportunities

Over the years I have always sought to respect the opinions of others in the business community.

However, I felt it necessary to respond to the inaccuracies in the letter from Ms Leisa Smith (Peninsula News, December 23) regarding the proposed McDonalds at Umina Beach and the position of the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

Ms Smith claimed that I stated McDonalds would create over 300 jobs as opposed to the franchisee's claim that 100 jobs would be created.

Ms Smith is incorrect.

The 300 jobs created are as a result of Woolworths, Coles, Aldi and the proposed McDonalds combined.

McDonalds on its own would create over 100 jobs.

Ms Smith also questioned my statement that businesses were beginning to reap the benefits from the recent opening of major retailers in Umina Beach.

While I have not canvassed every business in the town, I have certainly spoken to enough of the business operators to establish that they have seen substantial improvements in trade and turnover which was clearly evidenced by the increase in foot traffic along the main street and the fact that people are clearly excited about doing business and shopping in town.

Woolworths, Coles and Aldi may not have made an impact on Ms Smith's business but I would rather these anchor tenants in town than not.

It is the anchor businesses that generate the customer traffic and the business opportunities that arise.

It's then up to individual businesses as to how they respond to those opportunities including Ms Smith.

Ms Smith also made the statement that I speak for those who pay to be part of the Peninsula Chamber.

Correct! That is what I am elected to do.

My job, which is voluntary, is to firstly look after the interests of our growing Chamber members while being mindful of the interests of the broader business community.

And as to Ms Smith's statement that I have a vested interest in the issue, I absolutely do!

I have an interest in ensuring that Umina Beach is commercially successful and that the best possible business conditions are created to maximise opportunities for both large and small operators.

As to Ms Smith's claim that somehow McDonalds would take away business from Woy Woy by splitting the available business, it is worthwhile noting that this has not been the case with either Woolworths or Coles.

Our advice is that trade in both Woy Woy operations has held steady and that the new Woolworths at Umina and the Coles upgrade has drawn additional customers from areas outside the Peninsula.

If this is the case, then all retailers should see this as a further business opportunity.

One well established Umina retailer recently commented that they are seeing a whole new set of customers in town since Woolworths opened.

These are customers with greater spending power.

Finally Ms Smith appears not to want "to live in a busy commercial town" or for it to be successful.

A strange statement from a business woman.

Well I do.

It's called Umina Beach.

I would rather live and do business in busy West St than struggle to keep my business afloat in a dead city heart like Gosford.

We should all remember that Umina's success is not by accident.

It has come about through the hard work of Peninsula Chamber members who have actively canvassed major retailers and Gosford Council to take the town centre seriously.

Anchor tenants and national retailers provide jobs and spendable income and form part of the successful mix needed for strip shopping centres.

This is something we hope to replicate in the Woy Woy town centre.

I look forward to Ms Smith seizing these new opportunities and being successful in business.

Email, 29 Dec 2011 Matthew Wales, Umina Beach