The success factor

New businesses in St George’s are thriving despite the current recession.

Last Night, A2Z Accessories and Sweet SAAK Bakery have all opened in the old town in the last year. All three businesses are owned by women.

Business owners Angel Burgess (A2Z) Keta-Roy Simons (Last Night) and Kamilah Cannonier (Sweet SAAK) said they love the historical St George’s setting, which helps make it a beautiful town.

Both Last Night and A2Z sell women’s clothing and accessories.

While business is good, the owners say they are hoping for more local support.

Ms Cannonier said: “Sometimes you use the lemons that you have and you make the most of it. But also, the quietness of the town is something that you work on when you have a business.

“It’s how you structure your business around the location.”

Ms Burgess added: “It’s like any other thing. It has its ups and its downs.

“When we’re slow, everyone is slow. When we’re busy, everyone is busy.

“It’s not just because we’re in St George’s.”

Ms Simons said: “One challenge that we experience is that some St George’s people don’t support St George’s businesses. I have no idea why.”

Ms Burgess added: “There’s so many people in St George’s and most of my clients are from town and up.

“Somerset girls were in here at least three times a week. That’s my struggle.

I have had people in St George’s ask me how long my shop has been here.

“I’ve been here a year and people don’t know it.”

Ms Cannonier said support of her bakery has been good, which is possibly due to her creating baked goods that people enjoy.

“There’s always teething problems when you open a business.

“When it comes to business support, that’s something I have to grow to reach out and get out.

“Its about finding customers for your services.”

Ms Cannonier said one issue that could be responsible for the disconnect for St George’s businesses  is social media and an older population in the parish.

Both Ms Cannonier and Ms Burgess post their products on social media regularly, particularly Instagram and Facebook.

“St George’s is an older, more mature group and that could be why”, she added.

Ms Simons said people get in their routines and it’s difficult to get them to step away from it.

Sweet SAAK, A2Z and Last Night are located on York Street.