There’s a lot of little things that could make a big difference to our main street.
A big bang is coming once hundreds, maybe thousands of apartments are built and occupied and those living in them need to get out and about for some shopping or a meal or just a cup of coffee.
Unfortunately that’s still a few years off and that is why it’s important we don’t sit back and wait for the good times to arrive.
Those people running their businesses along Queen Street just can’t afford to wait years before there is the weight of numbers for them to make a decent living for all the hours they put in.
So what sort of little initiatives would help existing businesses in and around our main street is the question.
In an ideal world council and the business chamber would work together in a main street committee to develop a strategy and then tick off all the boxes.
There was once such a committee but it no longer exists, which is ironic because it’s needed now more than ever.
In any case, let’s get down to what needs to be done.
From council’s perspective it needs to pull out all stops to implement the Beverley Road extension to Queen Street.
It then has to decide if Queen Street reverts to a two way street – it’s currently one way in a southerly direction – or becomes a pedestrian only mall.
Either way the key is to move fast and have it done before the massive influx of apartment dwellers.
In the meantime it’s good to see local businesses are joining forces to promote Queen Street and what it has to offer.
Next we need a little bit of hype, a little bit of pizzazz,
There should be regular musical performances, maybe busking competitions, at least once or twice a week.
It’s about things to attract people there, who will discover that Queen Street has a lot to offer, with new shops opening all the time.
Council may even consider a pop up café in front of its administration building, for example.
This worked brilliantly in Bigge Park, Liverpool a few years ago, and the lovely green space on the corner of Broughton Street and Queen Street would be the perfect site for a classy pop up café.
Main streets need little touches like that to help them develop character, which then becomes something that attracts people to it.
I am sure the local business people of Queen Street have a multitude of marketing ideas, so someone just has to ask them.
Right on the money once again Eric!
Would love you to come meet me at bar centrale and we can have a chat about what the queen street collaborative have in store for you all :)
Sure, Sonya, will do, are you there all the time?
South West Voice pretty much yup
I’ll message you now
One major thing to give the Main Street a boost is to make it two way traffic again. The death of Queen St was making it one way. Worst mistake council allowed.
there is alkalizer already at the council. support alkalizer
Yes. But sure a pop up right in front of another cafe is a great idea… but somewhere else not so close would be great!
Yes, should check out stuff adelaide does, could definitely be replicated here, e.g. side alley events in the evening, more art, more music, more food.