The Association meets up on a regular basis locally and any new members are welcome to come along. There is always an agenda which includes a discussion on new projects and any local updates at the end… or as Julie calls it, local gossip!
From the meetings and introductions many members have produced cross business links which have been beneficial not only for their own business but overall for the Community in Raynes Park Town.
The Association is involved with local events such as the Raynes Park Christmas Festival and issues such as parking and, other matters that effects independent businesses overall.
Although ‘we’ as an Association are not political are views are put forward to Merton Council and our local MP when members agree.
The Annual Membership is £30 and to join email us on the following: info@raynesparklocal.co.uk
The Association was set up about 5 years ago by local resident (now business owner) Julie Donabie.
She says ‘ after living in Raynes Park for about a year I discovered just how many independent shops & unique businesses there were in the area all giving a wonderful and personal & friendly service’.
Julie in February 2011 set up a meeting for a number of the local independent businesses
the first meeting took place at the Olive Garden on the 15th February 2011 and since then we have:
- Produced a local independent business map/guide
- Had several Christmas and special articles in the Time & Leisure and Absolutely magazines, had logo stickers printed which are displayed in member windows and produced a Reward
- Now we have our own ‘local’ website which covers refreshment costs and any advertising flyer such as the logo sticker
The Raynes Park Association of Independent Businesses’ has been established to help
small independent businesses prosper and support one another within the areas of Raynes Park. Our aim is to spread the word amongst the local community about all the wonderful shops and services that are right here on their doorstep. Through cross recommendation and various forms of collective marketing, we want the local community to support their local businesses by using them as much as possible.
