City renaissance hopes as 74 shops remain abandoned
EXPLORE: Empty showrooms and buildings plastered with ageing ‘For Lease’ signs covered sections of the CBD
Property
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THE city heart could be set for a business renaissance as prospective owners realise the potential of Mackay's CBD.
A Daily Mercury survey of the CBD in September found 74 empty shop fronts from Milton St to Brisbane St and from the river south to Gordon St.
Empty showrooms and buildings plastered with ageing 'For Lease' signs covered large areas of the CBD, with businesses abandoning once thriving sections of the city heart.
Victoria St was one of the emptiest parts of the retail district, with one section of the street featuring only one operating business for half a block.
The lone pole dancing fitness studio was surrounded by boarded-up former bars, clubs and shops.
Even deluxe riverfront dining venues were shuttered, after the former Ashtart Lebanese restaurant closed down in February.
Wellington House, at the corner of Wellington and Victoria Sts, had eight street access stores that were empty.
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There are, however, signs of growth, with some shops recently sold and a few undergoing renovations as new businesses break into the Mackay market.
Knight Frank agency consultant Mark Kelly said while it was not obvious yet, the city was about to drastically change.
Mr Kelly said since July there had been growing interest in the city with commercial and retail inquiries increasing.
"It's just retailers who are confident in the products they've got and are willing to take on a shop front position," he said.
"It's new ideas and products looking out (for retail spaces) and more opportunities for retailers."
Mr Kelly said the business movement was driven by property owners scaling back their rental expectations.
"What landlords are now prepared to do makes it a pretty attractive level for tenants," he said.
While coronavirus was delaying the obvious signs of a retail recovery, Mr Kelly said the changes would be clear by next year.
"There will be a marked improvement to 2021," he said.
"We've yet to see the true signs of it, but the positivity is there."
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Mr Kelly said getting the city heart back to its former glory would take years, with projects like the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area to take decades to complete.
But he said once it was ready, the revitalised river would entice business back into the city heart.
"That CBD is gradually coming back," Mr Kelly said.
"The CBD of Mackay has got some good years coming up."
Mackay city centre empty shop fronts as of September.
- BCC Cinemas Mackay City
- 9 Fifth Ln
- 42 Gordon St
- 47 Gordon St
- 50 Gordon St
- 7 Gregory St
- 22 Gregory St
- 56 Gordon St
- 15 MacAlister St
- 17 MacAlister St
- 5 Milton St
- 18 Nelson St
- 22 Nelson St
- Palace Hotel
- 10 River St
- 33 River St
- 35 River St
- 43 River St
- 7 Sydney St
- 8 Sydney St
- 17 Sydney St
- 21 Sydney St
- 26 Sydney St
- 51 Sydney St
- 58 Sydney St
- 65 Sydney St
- 45 Victoria St
- 60 Victoria St
- Sydney Street Markets
- 62 Sydney St
- 72A Sydney St
- 63 Victoria St
- 64 Victoria St
- 75 Victoria St
- 71 Victoria St
- 87 Victoria St
- 89 Victoria St
- 91 Victoria St
- 92 Victoria St
- 95 Victoria St
- 96 Victoria St
- 97 Victoria St
- 99 Victoria St
- 100 Victoria St
- 111 Victoria St
- 134 Victoria St
- 161 Victoria St
- 162 Victoria St
- 164 Victoria St
- 196 Victoria St
- 214 Victoria St
- 218 Victoria St
- Wellington House
- Whitsunday Arcade
- Whitsunday Hotel
- 18 Wood St
- 22 Wood St
- 25b Wood St
- 29 Wood St
- 33 Wood St
- 36 Wood St
- 37 Wood St
- 41 Wood St
- 42 Wood St
- 47 Wood St
- 49 Wood St
- 53 Wood St
- 54 Wood St
- 92 Wood St
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