‘Friendly’ check-ups for city businesses

Invercargill businesses can expect to be checked to ensure they remain friendly enough to boast the city council’s ‘‘Friendly’’ brand.

Businesses and city events can apply for brand accreditation, endowed by the council.

However, councillors have heard this would be continuously monitored.

At a Child Youth and Family Friendly sub-committee meeting on Monday, Cr Darren Ludlow said he was pleased to read in the report to the committee that those who had received the ‘‘Friendly’’ accreditation were reviewed.

‘‘It’s not like a business can come to us and get the Friendly accreditation, and that’s it, they’re gone’’, Ludlow said.

Ludlow said it was good the council did a ‘‘warrant of fitness’’ to make sure everything ‘‘still functions’’ in Friendly businesses, considering staff turnover.

Cr Alex Crackett said she wanted to know if, in the review process, council staff could receive feedback on the effectiveness of the brand.

Council community development manager Mary Napper said they definitely asked for feedback from managers.

The report to the committee from Napper and community development officer Gemma Crawford says the review process had begun for organisations and services which were branded over a year ago.

The review provided the opportunity for new staff at the business to be updated, it says.

It would also identify successes, and allow discussion for suggestions on how the ‘‘Friendly’’ brand could better support them, it says.

‘‘One review has been undertaken and this opportunity proved to be very useful.’’

‘‘Friendly’’ was developed in response to a 2010 survey by the Capital Development Company, which found Invercargill’s difference was how attractive it was for families.

The brand aimed to make businesses and events easily identified as family friendly.

At the meeting, Napper said more ‘‘Friendly’’ branded wristbands had been ordered.

New branded items included four new flags, ready for new businesses, drink bottles and UFO flyers - a small frisbee toy.

The report says between July 1 and June 30, there were three businesses branded ‘‘Friendly’’.

Those were Number 10, Ryding2Health and East Road Pets.