New website shows which Christchurch businesses are open

March 11, 2011

A national barter company has set up a website www.mychristchurchbusinessisopen.co.nz to help businesses and customers resuming trading after the February 22 earthquake destroyed the central business district.

The company, BBX, has more than 160 businesses that have signed up and registered as open. BBX managing director Ian Jones said today.
``The benefit to Christchurch is that people may use the site to identify businesses that are operational and looking for customers. Calling a business from the yellow pages is hit and miss if they are open or not.

``This new website site provides Christchurch people with 100 percent guarantee a business is operating. It also allows the businesses to announce that they are open. This will make it easier for buyers to meet sellers in Christchurch; the greater efficiency will save time and money.’’

The www.mychristchurchbusinessisopen.co.nz website was established for the wider business community and set up and managed by BBX management as a free service for Canterbury business owners.

BBX international managing director Michael Touma and his wife Mireille along with BBX Christchurch staff Arnah and Simon Martin and Jones were in Christchurch when the earthquake struck on February 22.

Michael Touma returned from Australia to Christchurch on March 1 and established a new office outside the CBD.

``Many thought he was crazy returning but he insisted as a sign of support and belief in the Christchurch community,’’ Jones said.

The website is updated daily with listings of essential services such as medical centres, pharmacies, police, firefighters, civil defence and other emergency services.

BBX is a cashless trading of goods and services organisation using a credit and debit card system similar to other card systems that enables businesses to access a variety of goods and services in a less competitive market place.
Founded in 1993, BBX currently services about 6000 member businesses in Australia and New Zealand, representing over 8000 individual cardholders.

ENDS

© Scoop Media