Business In Glen (BIG) president Jim Ritchie and vice-president Howard Eastwood reported a strong positive vibe at Wednesday’s BIG meeting, with a better rollup of a dozen in attendance and as many more sending their apologies. It was the first meeting for new BIG member Margie Ferris of Premier Store which is taking over Kwong Sings, and she brought along a great attitude.
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Mr Ritchie said the organisation needs to see more businesses involved, to contribute to a strong, unified voice, but appreciates that many businesspeople are under time pressure.
“Still it would be great to have them join BIG and claim the benefits,” he said.
They agreed the local business community and residents alike are holding their collective breath until the Grey St works are completed, but confirmed that BIG will be part of the celebrations on Saturday, November 22.
They are also still gathering interest from affected business owners for the big wash-down scheduled for Saturday afternoon, November 8, when the CBD will receive a polish and shine.
“It will just brighten everything up,” Mr Ritchie said.
“I’ve spoken to a few business owners and they’re keen for it to happen.”
Among the topics addressed at the meeting was an agreement with council to fund an independent person to survey business owners in order to develop a retail strategy, and progress on the push to advertise the town along the highway.
“Council has also listened to us regarding signage on the highway to draw people into the main street and into businesses,” Mr Ritchie said.
“I understand they’ve already secured 6x3 metre signs for near Tenterfield and at Glencoe, to get passers-by thinking about dropping in.”
Mr Ritchie is looking forward to seeing the CBD transformed for Christmas, with decorations and Christmas trees.
“Overall they’re listening to us, and this will brighten up trade into the Christmas period and beyond.”
Council’s development, regulatory and sustainability services director Graham Price confirmed that two billboards will be rented for a year, with an image of the finished town square promoting free parking, free Wi-Fi and other town attractions to attract travellers off the highway and into local businesses. Banners and Christmas trees are on their way for the November 22 celebrations.
He said communications consultant Rose Wright will also be visiting CBD businesses this week, gathering information for a town-based business strategy and offering advice to retailer.
At the BIG meeting Mr Eastwood was nominated to investigate the legalities and logistics surrounding the placement of non-tenants into empty shops, potentially allowing more than the shop windows alone to be utilised during periods when the premises aren’t being leased.
“Back in the 1990s we had the same problem with empty shops, and at that time no owners wanted people in the shops due to concerns about liability,” Mr Eastwood said.
He attended a conference in Cessnock two years ago when Newcastle CBD was presented as a case study where a workaround was developed for this issue, and Mr Eastwood is now going to explore the details of that arrangement to see if it can be adapted for Glen Innes.
