North Canterbury News: October 31, 2019
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Business optimism<br />
revealed in survey<br />
NEWS<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> <strong>News</strong>, <strong>October</strong> <strong>31</strong>, <strong>2019</strong><br />
5<br />
By ROBYN BRISTOW<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> businesses are<br />
holding their own and are<br />
optimistic aboutthe future,<br />
despite being nervous aboutthe<br />
wider New Zealand business<br />
situation, according to the latest<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> Business<br />
Opinion Survey.<br />
The results, released this week<br />
by Enterprise <strong>North</strong><strong>Canterbury</strong><br />
(ENC),reveal strength in the local<br />
business community, with<br />
business profitability no longer<br />
negative (net 0% profitability<br />
compared to net 15%inApril),<br />
and 48% of businessesexpecting<br />
more profitinthe coming year.<br />
Thirtypercent expect to<br />
maintain current profit margins.<br />
ENC business supportmanager<br />
Miles Dalton says it has been a<br />
tough year for manylocal<br />
businesses, but the future is<br />
looking good.<br />
‘‘On the whole,both salesand<br />
profits have been flat over the last<br />
six months, but lookingat<br />
previous profit cyclesthe<br />
indicators are that we should see<br />
some good results over 2020.<br />
‘‘Thisupcoming cycleiscoming<br />
from alower base so we can<br />
predict aprofitable 2020,but<br />
perhaps not as good as some other<br />
yearshave been.’’<br />
The surveyalso reveals that<br />
businesses are holding backon<br />
further investmentatthe moment,<br />
but are optimistic about their own<br />
prospectsfor the coming six<br />
months.<br />
Local business owner Laura<br />
Good, of Create Design Studio in<br />
Rangiora, says she is feeling<br />
positiveabout the comingmonths.<br />
‘‘I am excited for the next six<br />
months.<br />
‘‘Wehave actually seena<br />
significant lift in our turnover in<br />
the past six months, but Iknow<br />
somebusinesses have<br />
experienced aslightdownturn.<br />
While it is hardtopredictwhat’s<br />
coming, Ilike to lookonthe<br />
positive side.’’<br />
The surveyed businesses<br />
expressedalack of confidence in<br />
the general business situation in<br />
New Zealandwith anet 41%<br />
confidence level. Thisisthe<br />
lowest level recorded sinceENC<br />
started surveying in 2013, but is in<br />
linewith businesses across New<br />
Zealand.<br />
Local businessesare continuing<br />
to employmore staff and the gross<br />
domestic product (GDP) in <strong>North</strong><br />
<strong>Canterbury</strong> is growingatthe same<br />
level as New Zealand as awhole.<br />
‘‘It’s certainlyamixed bag of<br />
indicators,’’ Mr Daltonsays.<br />
‘‘There is alevel of optimism<br />
thatbodes well for the future, but<br />
someofthe indicators suggest that<br />
businessesneed to continue to<br />
carefullywatchtheirmargins.At<br />
thisstage, 2020looks likely to be<br />
positive.’’<br />
The <strong>North</strong><strong>Canterbury</strong> Business<br />
Opinion Surveyisconducted<br />
every six monthsbyEnterprise<br />
<strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong>.<br />
Champion image ... Anne Lambe’s work, Devil and That Violin,was the champion image in arecent<br />
Rangiora Photographic Society competition.<br />
The devil is in the detail<br />
Anne Lambewas judgedto<br />
have takenthe champion<br />
imageinthe recent Rangiora<br />
Photographic Society Set<br />
Subject competition.<br />
Her work, Deviland That<br />
Violin,was judged bestinthe A<br />
gradedivision.<br />
Results:<br />
Championimage overall: Devil<br />
and That Violin,byAnne<br />
Lambe.<br />
Best in grades:<br />
Agrade: Devil and That Violin,<br />
Anne Lambe.<br />
Bgrade: Dancing Magnolia,<br />
Catherine Dalton.<br />
CGrade: Wanaka Elements,<br />
Alan Dunscombe.<br />
Honours:<br />
AGrade: Graham Dean,Jan<br />
Driscoll, Sandra Fleet, Hillary<br />
Lakeman, AnneLambe,<br />
Colleen Linnell (2), Maxine<br />
Cooper, Cathy Price,Chris<br />
Sharpe, Dominic Stove,<br />
RhondaStove, David<br />
Woodcock.<br />
BGrade:Catherine Dalton,<br />
Keith Sycamore.<br />
CGrade: Tabitha Andrews,<br />
Lisa Carter, Alan Dunscombe,<br />
Nick Hampson.<br />
Amusical tribute to<br />
Dame Vera Lynn<br />
Thursday7November,10am<br />
Charles Upham Retirement Village<br />
Join New Zealand entertainer,Vicki Lee,<br />
foranostalgic journeyfilled with warmth<br />
and professionalism.<br />
Endorsed by Dame Vera Lynn herself,this<br />
showwill include awonderful selection of<br />
songs and warstoriesfollowed<br />
by refreshments.<br />
Tickets arejust $10per person.<br />
Hear thesongs<br />
and memories<br />
of theForce’s<br />
Sweetheart<br />
To purchase your ticket please contact<br />
Wendy or Chris on <strong>31</strong>0 8644by<br />
Tuesday5November<br />
24 Charles Upham Drive, Rangiora<br />
1487
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