By Christine de Kock
TRADERS from Seddon have formed an advocacy group and will hold their first official meeting next month.
Temporary president of the Seddon Traders, Carl Phillips, said the group wanted to make the town’s retail strips popular to shoppers outside the area.
Mr Phillips has been running RAKIA On Earth: Eclectic Gifts in Charles St for about a year with his partner, Ruth London.
“We will be pursuing growth and the development of traders within the Seddon corridor, incorporating Gamon, Charles and Victoria streets, and acting as a lobby group to liaise proactively in the interest of the traders,” he said.
He added that Seddon’s demographics had changed and encouraged a more vibrant shopping experience as a number of young families had moved into the area.
He said the new residents could make the most of strip shopping as opposed to shopping at a mall.
“It’s more enjoyable to walk between the shops in the sunshine on a nice day and sit outside in a café and have a coffee,” he said.
“The parking is better here, the footpaths are wider and we have a good community.”
The group hopes to produce a traders’ directory and lobby issues of concern with the Maribyrnong council.
The group is independent from the Seddon Community Group, which was also made up of traders and residents.
The inaugural annual general meeting will be held on 20 September.
For further information contact 9687 5660.
