Anna Clark, of the Vault Cafe on High St, has begun an internet campaign to promote all that is good about Dannevirke.
Anna Clark, of the Vault Cafe on High St, has begun an internet campaign to promote all that is good about Dannevirke.
Dannevirke businesswoman Anna Clark has taken to the internet to promote all things great about Dannevirke.
"I started #thisiswhyIloveDannevirke a month or so ago.
"It's a positive group aimed at showcasing our town and, perhaps, improving it," she said.
Anna admitted she never thought too much about our town until she stepped up to the helm of the Vault Cafe on High St.
"I've realised owning a small business is so difficult. It is such a rewarding experience but it's also tough and I am sure everyone in the same boat will agree. Dannevirke needs some care brought to it and new initiatives put in place. Small business is the backbone of our town, and if they go so does the people and the money.
"I want to see if we can get our awesome town going viral around the world. I also want to give people a say because, I believe, our district council, business groups and the powers-that-be need to organise an event to actually listen to people.
"We need to get some ideas together to seriously consider. Sometimes I think not everyone who lives in Dannevirke has their opinions included or even considered."
The owner of the Meat Company, John told the Dannevirke News making our town buzz was about everyone working together.
"We need more realistic landlords and less Government interference in business, because compliance costs are killing small businesses."
Anna also believes Dannevirke needs more input from young people.
"We need some young blood to come through as ultimately we are the ones who will be here in the future and hopefully, so will our kids. We need to bring life into the town including some variety in shops. We want to stop people travelling to Palmerston North to shop. We could fill our empty buildings with good shops and we should look to other small towns to see what they've done. It's important to give people a reason to stay here.
"In the past, events brought the town together, perhaps we need to look back to the days of old and the events, activities and social occasions to get this place pumping."
We need some young blood to come through as ultimately we are the ones who will be here in the future and hopefully, so will our kids. We need to bring life into the town including some variety in shops.
Going forward, Anna wants a community trust to purchase our old historic buildings.
"We lease one of Dannevirke's most historic buildings, with a special vibe. But it's owned by someone out of town. How about setting up a community trust to purchase these buildings, maintaining and caring for them so they are here in the future? They are such a treasure and need to be looked after. Let's look at a group who can organise shop fronts to be improved too, with the council's help of course."
And Tararua District Mayor Roly Ellis is behind the internet campaign too.
"In 1996, having visited many towns around New Zealand, I found the people of Dannevirke exceptionally welcoming and decided to put my roots down here and have never regretted it since," he told the Dannevirke News. "It is a great town, full of interesting businesses and a wonderful lifestyle. It is fantastic to see locals taking pride in a place where there are so many great organisations, so you can never get bored.
"As a district, we are wonderfully positioned for new businesses and residents and it is the passionate residents like Anna [Clark] who make this such a positive district to live, work and play."
