THIS week's community column comes from Vivien Dance, chief executive of the Helensburgh and Lomond Chamber of Commerce.
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THE end of a calendar year is for many businesses the end of the financial year – a time to reflect on decisions taken in the past 12 months, and an appraisal of their impact on the revenue stream and a time to plan for the future.
Scripting an upbeat annual report this year will be challenging as the consequences of this pandemic rollercoaster have hit hard and no doubt many independent traders will question the value of forward planning in such uncertain times.
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In our final column for this Covid year, the Chamber suggests there is cause to be positive about our future as a town and hope that local businesses derive some comfort from the efforts being made to support local retailers come through in to next year.
Businesses are working together to promote the town in December with a calendar of seasonal activities in support of the Shop Local campaign. The town is sparkling with Christmas lights, new businesses are opening, residents are showing their appreciation by nominating local businesses as High Street Heroes, and loyal shoppers wait patiently to spend on their high street – determined to show that they remember who kept them going in lockdown.
Many towns do not have that cohesion of effort and goodwill and if we continue to believe in ourselves as a community we will survive and prosper as a small town.
READ MORE: Letters to the Advertiser: December 3, 2020
The Chamber has spoken to many business owners recently along with local residents/shoppers and there is no doubt that the overview of the mood in the town just now is one of optimism, there is a palpable sense of working through this together.
Helensburgh needs its commerce. Local retailers are a vital part of the town’s success, and we trust that individual business plans for 2021 will reflect a continued presence in our town.
The Chamber wishes you all the best for 2021 – a year in which we will all have that jag and see everyone’s faces again. Bliss!
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