It’s boomtime for fledgling businesses in Jurien Bay

Clinton Strugnell looks across at the jetty, the children paddling in the sea watched on by their parents sitting on the beach.

“This place is changing for the better look at this area, the visitors love it,” he says.

The former CEO of Jurien Bay, Clinton now owns and runs the hardware store as well as being the Chairman of the local Chamber of Commerce.

“I came here because of the job, but I was drawn to the town because of its coastal location.”

“It has a slow-paced charm; we call it ‘Jurien Bay Time’. No one lives by their watches.  It’s a bit of a blank canvas.”

The town benefits from its closeness to Perth, just a two-hour drive north. The nearby Pinnacles are the most visited natural attraction in WA, drawing 300,000 people every year, so it’s no wonder people are stopping by in Jurien Bay.

“When the main road to Jurien Bay was completed in 2010, we had a huge influx of visitors overnight, now we’ve played catch up and are offering the right facilities to them,” he explains.

The council has invested heavily on improving the infrastructure to the town.

“Jurien can offer a lot to fledgling businesses, look at me, I run a hardware store, but I am not a DIY enthusiast,” Clinton adds.

“Local government gave me a good background to run my own business and I just took an opportunity. I have run a hardware store but I’m still useless with a hammer, now there’s a confession for you!”