Peter Martin, Whitchurch Town Council clerk, who is drawing up a parish plan.
Whitchurch is launching its own fightback against the economic crisis with a new action group and parish-wide plan to combat the credit crunch.
And while the news is full of stories of business closures and job losses the town appears to be bucking the trend as three shops have opened in the last two weeks alone.
A further two businesses have started up in the last month with another two set to be launched soon.
Other businesses have expanded or come up with new approaches to draw trade in.
WAG, or Whitchurch Action Group, was set up by local business people who wanted to do something positive to combat the threat of recession.
Mike Bate is one of the founder members who went along to the first meeting.
He said they decided to raise £2,000 to pay for eight pages in various town and village newsletters.
The pages will be filled with adverts and editorial encouraging people to shop locally. The group hope to reach 20,000 homes and businesses.
Lynton Macrae opened Cormac Stores on High Street two weeks ago. He also runs Pets 2000, which is next door.
He said: “When this shop closed down it was affecting trade at the top of the street. We decided to take over because it was one of two o count card shops which had closed and the town needed a discount card shop.
“We also wanted to get rid of another empty shop on the high street.”
As well as cards, stationary and toys Mr Macrae is expanding the range to include toiletries, sweets and crisps.
A few doors down from Cormac Stores is a takeaway called Golden Chippy which opened one month ago after being empty for between 18 months and two years.
Across the road is TFC or Turkish Fried Chicken which opened two weeks ago.
Further down is Handbags and Gladrags which opened one month ago and Outside Edge, a wine bar which is set to open on November 22.
Around the corner is an empty shop which is due to open as a travel agents and further down is the former World of Wicker which is being renovated and extended and which clothing giant Peacocks has expressed an interest in. Another big name to express an interest in the town is Aldi which is looking at a site on the Waymills Road.
Wagstaffs, the shoe shop, moved to bigger premises on Mill Street in February and back on High Street a new gift shop called Ruby Tuesday opened on Saturday.
Sheree Jones of Ruby Tuesday
Sheree Jones is the owner of Ruby Tuesday. She has run gift shops and tea rooms in Warrington, Chester and Shrewsbury but this is her first shop in Whitchurch.
Mrs Jones said: “My business was internet based but when this shop came up I thought it could be something different in Whitchurch for tourists and locals. One of the things we sell is old telephones which my husband restores. As well as new businesses bucking the trend the town council is taking a proactive approach to the economic downturn.
Peter Martin, town clerk, said: “We’ve set up a steering group and are working with local traders on a parish plan.
The council is also looking at working with other town councils, organisations and chambers of trade from around the county who are fighting the slowdown.
In addition to new businesses existing businesses are expanding and diversifying.
Sue Jones runs Briar Rose, a picture shop which has recently started selling other arts and crafts.
The Chronicle is launching its Doing the Business campaign to help our community during the credit crunch. Have you taken any steps to fight back? Do you have good news on jobs? Are you opening a new shop or a business in our area?
If so ring reporter Emma Kasprzak on 01743 283324 and we will highlight these good news stories.