His comments came as Westpac announced the closure of 22 branches, including one in Lansell Square, and administrators for menswear retailer Ed Harry begin the process of winding up the business.

Ed Harry has 87 stores, one of which is in the shopping centre at Kangaroo Flat.

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Mr Bice said there were a lot of success stories about business in Bendigo, despite changes in the way retail chains and banks were operating in the region and elsewhere.

“We’re going to go through change. Businesses are changing. There’s no doubt about that,” Mr Bice said.

But he said advocating for opportunities for businesses in the region was part of Be.Bendigo’s role.

Early results of the commerce organisation’s 2018 business trends survey showed positivity and a sense of opportunity within the business community, according to Mr Bice.

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Be.Bendigo recently moved into Hargreaves Mall in an effort to increase confidence in the precinct.

Other initiatives underway include a series of workshops for small businesses and a three-year, $750,000 project aimed at growing regional opportunities for work – aptly named GROW.

“It is clearly in our best interests to make sure we’ve got sustainable small businesses,” Mr Bice said.

Charter Hall, the property group that runs Lansell Square, was contacted for comment.

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