Fundamentals of success

In response to Norman Harris' Letter to the Editor (Peninsula News, November 26) regarding McDonalds and the character of the Umina Beach CBD, he clearly does not understand the fundamentals of growing successful town centres.

Umina's resurgence as a busy retail centre hasn't happened by accident.

It has taken a lot of hard work by the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce to encourage major retailers to invest in town over the last five years at a time when other centres have struggled.

Generally, successful town centres are underpinned by anchor businesses which employ a stable work force from which smaller retailers can benefit from and grow.

Umina Beach is a classic case in point with Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, Bunnings, McDonalds and the Ocean Beach Hotel forming an incredibly important retail base from which over 350 jobs were created.

Mr Harris laments the changing character of the town centre and the trade-off for this revitalisation.

I have to disagree.

Umina is an evolving retail centre where things do change.

Change and the resulting revitalisation helps to stimulate retail centres so that they do not stagnate and fall into decline.

You can witness this first hand in the Gosford CBD.

The Chamber's charter includes the promotion of business opportunities and the stimulation of business growth.

As president of the organisation, I will actively continue to do so and welcome businesses that pump investment dollars into the town, that create jobs and that want to contribute positively to the success of Umina Beach.

I love Umina and you can find me in town doing business every day along with thousands of others.

It is vibrant, busy, exciting and above all, has a unique and evolving character.

How good is that?

Email, 30 Nov 2012

Matthew Wales, Umina