Did you ever wonder what some of the reasons were behind new businesses failures? Here is just one small example that has huge consequences.

As a new downtown business with lots of quick pickups and to go orders we requested to have two 15 minute parking stalls implemented specifically for our business. Our customers and would be customers tell us that this is one of the biggest challenges with our location. Having come from Saskatoon I believed the request should be an easy one, as I had done it there for my downtown business. Apparently the City of Swift Current doesn't want to accommodate and has a policy against any such parking requests. To change it we must petition Counsel to change this seemingly unofficial policy.

We've done our part, listened to you and added hours during the week, 11-7pm Tuesday through Thursday, so you can make it down after work and enjoy a relaxed evening out that doesn't have to cost a lot, is a tonne of hearty and safe fun, and has the potential to grow the downtown core further. As you know, parking is definitely easier after 5pm.

Now we need you to take the next step with us.

It is our understanding Swift Current officially tries to model there public policies based on Saskatoon. Having come from Saskatoon and run multiple businesses of my own as well as several institutional operations I am shocked that the stance on many things, but am beside myself that a simple request for parking is dismissed with barely any explanation as to why such a ruthlessly insensitive policy, from both the small business needs and the community's needs perspective, would exist at all. If it were determined case-by-case that might be more reasonable?!

When we reach out to you, our customers, we are repeatedly told that our location, because of parking challenges, was not ideal. We have made huge commitments in our space and apparently our hands are tied and our requests will not be considered without a lot more effort on our part.

It is for this reason that we are starting a petition to bring to council. It seems to us that the only resistance to accommodating our request comes from the very bodies that should be supporting Small Business Development in whatever way their position of authority allows. Please consider helping us bring this matter before Council in the quickest and clearest way possible. Sign today!

It is only with change that a community can grow, can become stronger, and well-rounded. Stop by Kitchen Conspiracy, in the old Senior Center at 68 Central Avenue North, to sign our petition if you prefer a hard copy method.

Desired Outcome: Swift Current accommodates small businesses, both startups and existing ventures, via making downtown more easily accessible, specifically to implement 15 minute parking stalls during core office and operating hours.