Recognising the importance of small businesses in our local community and how well some have adapted to the changing circumstances was the aim of Love Your Local, a grass-root campaign organised by The Portland Observer in conjunction with Committee For Portland and Portland Signworks designed to recognised small businesses in Portland that have provided exceptional service during the pandemic, with a specific focus on those that have introduced innovative approaches to their business operations, and provided excellence in communication.
Members of the public were invited to nominate businesses for the Love Your Local campaign, with each nominated business received a window display sticker, designed and produced by Portland Signworks.
Nominations were received for 45 individual businesses, and organisers had a hard time choosing the winners from these worthy nominees.
Honourable mentions go to PT@ Home and Powerhouse Productions both of which showed exceptional community spirt and adaptation to the challenging times.
The three major winners are Portland Golf Club, Harbour Lights Snack Bar, and Kangatraining Portland, all of which have adapted to the challenges imposed by the pandemic, taken innovative approaches order to provide additional services to the public, and shown exemplary community spirit.
Committee For Portland Small Business Network chair Jon Dennis said the campaign was an opportunity for the Committee For Portland to recognise the contribution small businesses have made to Portland during these challenging time.
“It is impressive to see the innovation these businesses have employed and it’s great to see the community support for them,” he said.
“The Committee For Portland seeks to further support small business by facilitating dialogue between companies and advocating for them as required.
“Local small businesses have performed well and shown tremendous resiliency during these trading restrictions. We want to work together towards a fast and full economic recovery as restrictions are eased.”
