Grey Lynn means business

JASON OXENHAM

ALL BUSINESS: Gypsy Tea Room bar owner Brett Simeti is in favour of a proposal that would see a Grey Lynn business association set up.

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Grey Lynn business owners look set to band together for the good of the area.

Earlier this month, about 25 business owners attended a meeting organised by community group Grey Lynn 2030 to find out how many would be interested in forming a Grey Lynn business association.

Grey Lynn 2030 committee member Pippa Coom says the group floated the idea after realising the benefits an association could provide.

"There seems to be a desire to have a business association and all the benefits that can come from it, like networking and linking in with other businesses."

A working group will now be formed, with the next step setting up an incorporated society.

Gypsy Tea Room bar owner Brett Simeti says he's keen to get involved with a new association once it's up and running.

"I think it's a great idea and long overdue.

"It means we can better put West Lynn, Grey Lynn and the uniqueness of the area to the forefront of people's minds."

While he knows many of his regular customers who pop into the bar for an after work drink, Mr Simeti says a business association would broaden the horizons of many local business owners.

"We all work and live near each other, but don't necessarily interact as much as we should.

"Grey Lynn is one of the better melting pots in Auckland. Everyone co-exists really well and recognises each others' differences."

Along with local shop owners, people who run their businesses from home will also be encouraged to join.

Grey Lynn resident Julie Falvey, who runs childcare and nanny services company Poppetts from home, says being a member of a business association would provide a number of fantastic new opportunities.

"Quite often when you're working from home it can be quite isolating.

"It puts you in touch with other businesses and gives you other resources you can use."

Ms Falvey says she's already met six self-employed people who live on her street since the Grey Lynn 2030 meeting.

Ms Coom says another advantage of forming a business association is the compilation of a business directory.

"It encourages people to shop locally and keeps money in the community," Ms Coom says.

Grey Lynn 2030's goal of becoming a sustainable community could also be worked into the association's structure. Once formed, any decision on whether the association becomes a business improvement district, which means it would receive Auckland Council funding, would need to be made after the local body elections to be held in October.

- © Fairfax NZ News