Repco Wellington store will close its doors on February 1

Mayor of the Dubbo Region Ben Shields said it's devastating to hear another Wellington business is closing, but believes Repco's closure is a lesson that national chain stores need to be community-minded.

Cr Shields is disappointed so many of the businesses that have closed in Wellington have been national brands but haven't made an effort to be part of the community.

"Repco's demise in Wellington is a good lesson for a lot of the national chain stores to be local," he said.

"Local businesses that contribute to the community by sponsoring local events or sporting groups create a loyalty with customers and are more likely to succeed.

"Simply having a shop front, not supporting local sporting or community groups and having very little involvement with the local community and advertising locally is a recipe for financial ruin."

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Wayne Bryant executive general manager of Repco Australia said Repco is constantly reviewing its network to ensure they have stores situated in the best locations to support customers.

"We have taken the always difficult decision to close the Wellington store in NSW," he said

"However, we have done so on the basis that we are confident that our neighbouring store in Dubbo is perfectly placed to support Repco's automotive workshop and retail customers in the Wellington region.

"The range of automotive parts, accessories, tools and equipment carried by the Dubbo store is significantly greater, and will provide more choice for our customers, than the current small Wellington store. Importantly, one of our full time employees in Wellington will be transferring to the Repco Dubbo store, which will continue to support workshop customers in Wellington with daily parts deliveries."

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Mr Bryant confirmed that all Repco stores are company owned, not franchised.

"Repco has over 315 stores across Australia, almost half of which are located regional and country towns and Repco has more stores in regional Australia than any other parts distributor," he said.

"We have a very strong link into the regional communities we operate in, and our teams are passionate about providing genuine service to their local customers, as well as providing back to the community."

Cr Shields added that you only have to look around Wellington and see the successful small businesses are the ones are involved in the community.

"I think there is a good lesson here for these major retailers in smaller towns that they should make a greater effort to be part of the community," he explained.

Cr Shields said the closure of Wellington's Repco is sad for the employees and their families.

"Council is working so hard to try and boost the local economy so any business that closes its doors is terrible news," he said.

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