Domino’s Pizza recently welcomed customers through its doors for the first time, while Smart dollar, located near Coles, is another store to have opened within the past month.

Long-time Domino’s franchisee Stuart Preston said he wanted to open a store in the Scone area to offer better service for his customers and provide employment opportunities.

“Our team members are the core of our business and we are lucky to have promoted several experienced managers to run the store, as well as hiring 20 other employees,” he said.

“We are still looking for friendly, proactive people who have a passion for customer service to join our team of delivery experts.”

Scone Chamber of Commerce & Industry president Ben Wyndham said it was pleasing to see the new stores open.

“We welcome the new businesses; there seems to be some signs of a pickup in trading conditions and we hope that these new businesses will do well,” he said.

“The Chamber will provide whatever support we can, if they need it.

“For some businesses, trading conditions are still patchy and uncertain.

“The Chamber's job over the next three to four years is to help make sure the retail and business community is prepared for the changed conditions and we promote the town as a destination in its own right.

“Scone is a great place to live and it will always have a good foundation for small businesses.”

Mr Wyndham added a series of workshops for local businesses would start on August 3. 

“The Business Centre workshops are subsidised and discounted for Chamber members,” he said.

“I strongly encourage any business in town to be a part of these workshops and focus on opportunities to grow.”

The Chamber is also running a ‘Beat the Winter Blues’ retail promotion next month, where customers who spend $20 or more in one transaction to go into the draw to win a $100 gift voucher each week.

For more information contact Steve Guihot at Paddock to Pantry on 0418205947 or Rachel McMahon on 0419146831 or email info@sconechamber.com.au