City of Vernon officials and volunteers fanned out across the community on Friday morning to talk with local businesses about how things are going and how support agencies can better meet their needs.

Travelling in groups of two, they could be seen carrying clipboards and covering block after block in the downtown, while others headed for area malls and elsewhere.

Approximately 150 businesses were expected to be approached during the third annual Business Walks program.

“We've been really pleased because every business that we've visited so far, their businesses are good and improving so that's really encouraging,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham.

The city councillor was accompanied by Lara Konkin, executive director of the Downtown Business Association, as they surveyed store managers in 3000 block of 30th Avenue.

“We always talk about attracting business to Vernon but we also recognize that you have to retain the ones that you have,” Cunningham stated, adding that the city wanted to provide those businesses with any information that would help them be more successful.

The councillor also pointed out that surveyors were not concentrating on the downtown core during the business walk but travelling to locations across the community.

Konkin said results of the survey would tell both city officials and her office what types of programs and services could be offered to businesses.

Although the two could provide only a snapshot, they found complaints about the lack of downtown parking lower than in most years while some managers called for a return to Friday night markets on 30th Avenue in order to boost trade.

Results of the survey have not yet been released.