Now traders in the warehouse district are rallying together to strengthen ties and promote a Canberra suburb faced with a distinct set of challenges.

Co-ordinator Mike Steele said the new Hume Traders Association was born from a desire to develop a supportive business community, a step towards overcoming the suburb's relative isolation and promoting its 200-plus traders.

"The idea came up as like a co-operative - the intent was local businesses would use local business," he said.

"We're trying to build a stronger business network within Hume and looking to extend that network outside of Hume.

"We think the natural outcome will be a marketing of Hume and our businesses to Canberra residents and consumers which will hopefully help all of us grow our businesses."

Mr Steele said Hume's isolation and a consequent lack of daily traffic was one of the biggest issues facing traders.

"Hume is isolated. You don't get people just walking off the street," he said.

"The only reason you go to Hume is because you've got to go to Hume. I can't imagine myself and my wife jumping in the car and saying, 'let's go to Hume and see what's happening there' on the weekend. Whereas you go to Fyshwick, you can wander around Fyshwick."

Other issues ranged from poor mail delivery to limited public transport options and broadband connectivity.

"There's no post office or post box in Hume [and] the mail delivery to Hume addresses is abysmal," Mr Steele said.

"Other things that have been raised include things like security, because at night this place is basically a ghost town. Public transport into the area is not really sufficient; it doesn't meet the timeframes for a lot of businesses so their employees can get out here and get home in a reasonable time.

"You've also got to look at things like broadband; the computer network here is atrocious. Some don't need it, others rely on it. TransACT were quite happy to put an optical fibre cable into Hume but it would cost us about $600,000 to do it."

Mr Steele said the association was gradually growing since its first meeting in May, which attracted about 15 traders, via word of mouth and regular newsletters.

The group had also tasked a local business to set up its website as an information hub for local traders and a business directory.

"It is in its infancy," Mr Steele said. "We have already considered, if it really does take off, we'd expand into Jerrabomberra and Queanbeyan and then possibly look at Fyshwick.

Mr Steele said most Canberrans probably didn't realise the variety of niche businesses dotted around Hume, from manufacturing to mobility aids and a music studio.

He also hoped Hume might grow into the "trade training capital of Canberra" by providing more work experience opportunities for students.