Jetty Rd traders and Holdfast Bay Council say parking and up-market shops and restaurants will help Glenelg continue to thrive

VACANCY rates have been slashed and visitor numbers are up, but traders and the council say more can be done to make this suburban centre thrive — with parking at the top of the list.

Katrina and Ben Wilkinson are opening a new wine bar and function centre on Moseley Square called Mint 2 in May. Picture: Campbell Brodie.

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EXTRA carparks, new high-end fashion shops and up-market restaurants feature on Jetty Rd traders’ wishlist to ensure confidence in Glenelg continues to grow.

Holdfast Bay Council data shows the strip’s retail vacancy rate is down to 3.9 per cent, compared with 15 per cent in 2014, and visits to the seaside suburb were up from 730,000 in 2013 to 1.035 million last year.

Katrina and Ben Wilkinson, who opened the Mint on Moseley function room three years ago, will launch Mint 2 on May 11, a wine and cocktail lounge on the northern side of Moseley Square.

Mrs Wilkinson said the new foreshore playground, which opened in January, was key to attracting more foot traffic to Moseley Square, as was an increase in nice restaurants and bars, and renovated ones such as The Moseley Bar and Kitchen.

She said people were looking for more up-market places for a drink after dinner.

“Glenelg has some of the best cafes and restaurants,” Mrs Wilkinson said.

As previously reported by the Guardian Messenger, traders have also supported plans for a massive overhaul of the Bay’s jetty, to include a boutique hotel, seaplanes dock, restaurants and dock for a Kangaroo Island Ferry.

Jo Mercer sales assistant Emily Kooistra also said more up-market shops could attract extra people to Glenelg.

Her womenswear and accessories store opened six months ago.

“It (Jetty Rd) definitely needs more up-market stores and more unique stores,” Ms Kooistra said.

An artist's impression of a proposed Glenelg jetty redevelopment including a new hotel.

Holdfast Bay Council has been working to get more new shops in the area, putting together a prospectus for businesses wanting to come to the area.

Mayor Stephen Patterson said a report produced two years ago after a noticeable drop in activity and a rise in empty shops found the council needed to improve the Glenelg beachfront area.

“The plan has been in play for two years and you’re starting to see the fruits of it,” Mr Patterson said. “Things take time.”

Mr Patterson said single-storey council-owned carparks, such as the one on Elizabeth St, near the Stamford Grand hotel, could be turned into multistorey ones similar to the new ones on Partridge St.

“It takes the load off Jetty Rd and makes it more pedestrian-friendly,” he said.

Caruso’s Fresh Foods part owner Nino Braiotto agreed more parking was necessary, as well as promoting existing parking more effectively.

“We need a bit more carparking, especially down that end near the beach,” Mr Braiotto said.

From here, the council is looking forward to the results of consultation on a State Government rezoning plan for Glenelg and Glenelg North that would allow 12-storey buildings along the South Esplanade, Colley Tce, Anzac Highway and Adelphi Tce.

A proposed 12-storey Comfort Inn hotel on Adelphi Tce is also planned, along with the redevelopment of the Buffalo restaurant.

These two projects would “provide another destination” and stretch the tourist precinct further north, Mr Patterson said.

What do you think should be done to ensure Glenelg continues to thrive? Leave your comment below.