Further $340,000 Distributed to Canterbury Businesses

Media Release, for immediate release, 12 April 2012

Further $340,000 Distributed to Canterbury Businesses

Melissa Landrebe’s Ferrymead business is now based on her front lawn, but she still considers herself lucky. Her business, Ferrymead United Travel, is one of 29 businesses that received financial support from the Canterbury Business Recovery Trust last month.

During March the Canterbury Business Recovery Trust distributed $343,566 to 29 Canterbury businesses. Since its inception one year ago the Trust has distributed a total of $4.39 million to more than 290 viable but earthquake-affected Canterbury businesses.

Of the funds distributed last month, 40% went towards sales/marketing costs and 35% went to assist businesses with the costs of relocation and refit. The remaining funds were split evenly between operating costs and business development costs.

Ferrymead United Travel owner Melissa Landrebe says she felt fortunate that they were given eight weeks’ notice to leave their premises, but it took all of that time to get their new home built and in place by the deadline of 31 March.

“The port-a-com was delivered the day before I had to be out of my old building so it was incredibly tight, but we managed to move in without any disruption to our clients, which was my main aim,” says Mrs Landrebe.

Ferrymead United Travel received a grant from the Canterbury Business Recovery Trust to assist with the costs of relocation, including signage and marketing.

“I sell travel, not organise building projects, so I can’t tell you how much I have appreciated the advice and support from my Recover Canterbury business recovery coordinator and the financial hand up from the Canterbury Business Recovery Trust.

“It was really important to me to be able to keep all my seven staff and to stay in the Ferrymead community where we have been for the last 19 years, and it is huge that I’ve been able to make that goal a reality,” says Mrs Landrebe.

Recover Canterbury Communications Manager Pip Tschudin says Canterbury businesses are incredibly committed and are showing true grit in pulling through these shaky times to stand on firm feet.

“The kind of support that we are able to provide at Recover Canterbury and through the Canterbury Business Recovery Trust has been a lifeline for many businesses, who can now look to the future with a little more certainty which is great not just for their business, but for the wider Canterbury economy,” says Mrs Tschudin.

Since its establishment in March 2011 $5.4 million has been donated to the Canterbury Business Recovery Trust. The Trust is continuing to accept donations.

ENDS

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