Shopping plan for Merivale

The Merivale Business Association has big plans for the suburb to turn it into a shopping destination and encourage residents to shop local.

Chairman of the association and owner of Traiteur of Merivale, Maarten Loeffen said the area had three different identities and the association wanted to bring them together to reap the economic benefits.

'Merivale has three different identities.

"First the medical side of thing - we have surgeons for varicose veins to breast implants. If you want to get it done you can get it all done in Merivale," he said.

"Secondly we have 11 schools in a very small area plus language schools and then of course we have the retailers, clothing, hospitality, architecture, lots of different companies," he said.

Mr Loeffen said while people were using facilities such as waiting for appointment at the hospital, they needed to be encouraged to shop locally.

"We really want people to know that you don't need to go anywhere else, there are so many things right here," he said.

To give Merivale an identity, Mr Loeffen said the association was looking to develop a logo. A loyalty card was also being developed he said.

The association was also looking at running annual events which could be used as a fundraiser for a local club or school.

More than 50 businesses had joined the association after the idea was floated by the Merivale Precinct Society this year.