If Dannevirke is going to thrive, businesspeople need to pull together, a former business owner says.
"It's the local businesspeople who are their own worst enemies," the man, who didn't wish to be named, said. "The call in Saturday's Hawke's Bay Today (September 10) was for council help, but businesses have to help themselves too."
The man, who still works in businesses in Dannevirke, says he realises things are tough in retail at the moment, but while he doesn't have all the answers, he believes it's time business owners pulled together.
"We've a good Chamber of Commerce, but owners have to get off their bums and all be on the same page," he said. "You know, if you come into Dannevirke on a Saturday morning before 10am there're very few shops open. It's frustrating."
Susan Berry, chairwoman of the Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce, told the Dannevirke News her organisation was working hard with retailers.