‘Let this be a warning to others’: Locals weigh in on grim shopping strip
THE grim state of a southside shopping strip, where 18 sites sit empty, has seen the community step in to offer advice on how to transform the area. And there’s one thing they all agree needs to be addressed — the problem making the strip “a joke”.
Southeast
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THE grim outlook for business owners at Mt Gravatt Central, as reported last week by the Southern Star, has seen the community rally behind them and offer advice on what can be done to help the struggling strip of shops.
The shopping strip, located on Logan Rd, has more than 18 shops vacant.
While a more diverse range of stores, better parking and turning the precinct into an art and foodie hub have been floated as the best way to attract locals, a few other interesting points have been raised.
They include lowering the cost of rent for businesses, opening up a small grocery store and a few eclectic shops to bring people to the area as well as tapping into the motorists and cyclists passing by the strip as they head up Mt Gravatt mountain.
Brisbane residents have taken to emailing and calling the Southern Star and leaving comments on Facebook and Questnews.com.au to have their say.
Long-time local Alan Bain said he had lived in the Mt Gravatt area for just on 60 years.
“Back to the days when Scurr Brothers was “the” place to go on Saturday mornings, for the fellas at least,” he said.
“When Mt Gravatt Central was know as “The Terminus” because that’s where the tram terminus was.
“When Brisbane Cash and Carry was the only place for mums to shop. Where you can go to at least a few banks, and the post office was a good place to meet up with people.”
Fast-forward to today … there are no banks, no post office and as a consequence, people stay away and there’s a huge increase in the number of empty shops and offices.
“Let this be a warning to other areas around Brisbane. If we want to keep our suburban shopping centres viable, we need to have facilities like banks and a post office firmly established.”
Cass Russell’s suggestion is to put the ATM back in to increase foot traffic in the area.
“Would be also great to see a bakery and fish and chip shop,” she said.
Young local Allison said she felt Mt Gravatt Central had “completely the wrong mix of businesses”.
“There’s no vibrant atmosphere to attract people and it looks like a ghost town,” she said.
“That’s what keeps people away.
“When the Photo Continental building was redeveloped, we were excited to see something new come to the area and breathe a bit of life into the strip.
“To put in two op shops is a bizarre decision and a huge missed opportunity (both commercially and for the community).
“Surely a fashion boutique, organic cafe, wine bar, gift shop or a nice bakery could have gone in.
“These are the types of businesses that would attract the many young people in the area who currently drive past and go elsewhere.
“(They) need attractive shopfronts and some activation/activity (like workshops) that people can actually see when they drive past — ‘people attract people’.
“As for the Scurr Bros’ site, how great would it be to have a Standard Market Co here? Like the one at Gasworks and James Street.”
For most people, parking is the main deterrent when it come to Mt Gravatt Central.
David said: “The big issue with Mt Gravatt Central is the lack of easy, accessible parking.
I avoid the area.”
Duncan agreed: “I have seen many shops come and go in my decade in the area. For me, lack of parking is a problem.
“There is a carpark behind the library but with signs threatening towing if you are not at a business connected to the carpark — this should just be a Mt Gravatt Central carpark … it isn’t like the shopping area is that big — it’s two blocks!”
“The street one-hour parking is also too limited and the timing of 7am-7pm Monday to Saturday is too long.
“Why can’t it be till 5.30pm. If you are going somewhere for a meal after work, you have to worry about getting back before your hour is up.”
Peter said he regularly drove through the area and stopped if he saw a car park on the street.
“If I don’t see a carpark I just keep going,” he said.
“I know about the parking at the rear but it is accessed by a little laneway that is poorly signed and by the time you realise where it is it is too late to slow down to turn left.
The supposed “beautification” of the street may look nice but all it has really done is take away parking spots.
“Give us parking and we will come.”
Terry said: “Nearby side streets are a joke … full of cars”.
Lee Cox queried the lack of parking and whether the “commercial rents” were too high.
Peta commented “rents are terribly high along this strip”.
“I’ve wanted a location along here for many years but the risk of failure is too high,” the business person said.
“Rents too high, prices too high, shoppers go elsewhere. Simple economics to me,” Barry added.
Mt Gravatt local Jan said Mt Gravatt Central should be a good high street shopping and food/coffee location that could appeal to independent retailers.
“But these issues with occupancy there just repeat over and over (I’ve lived in the area for nearly 50 years),” she said.
“The strip doesn’t take advantage of its proximity to the mountain and the mountain’s popularity with cyclists, they just ride on by for the most part.
“There are also plenty of new residents in the area, but still nothing happens.
“There must be a market there somewhere for this shopping strip, so it’s good to see that some of the new businesses are taking interest and trying to spur things along.
“I got my hopes up when the Photo Continental building was being redeveloped, only to see that the new tenants were op shops and a funeral director.
“Great … and off I go to Oxford St again. I’d rather not, I’d rather be able to just walk down the road.”
Margaret said traffic flow was an issue in the area and safe, convenient parking needed a big upgrade.
“There is plenty of space out the back of the Mt Gravatt mountain side of the road but no effective way for vehicles to get in and out across traffic,” she said.
“The biggest issue is a total lack of street appeal.
The chemist shop used to be central in that strip and was glass fronted. You could see into it, the window displays were attractive and the vibe invited you in. Now it is on the corner and the windows are all red and opaque — the opposite of welcoming!
“Most of the existing businesses on both sides of the road definitely need to update their old fashioned and/or tacky shopfronts and interiors and there are not one but two op shops. That certainly does not attract up-market, interesting businesses to fill vacant shops.
“Encourage them to do something a little extra and make a point of difference by perhaps adding a fancy dress, costume or retro component (see Annerley op shop).
“There are already sculptural art pieces in the street that are really lovely. Why not improve on that and create an artist hub?
“Offer an incentive for someone to set up a creative gallery cafe with good food and quirky decor.
“Run workshops and classes for painting, ceramics and fibre art. That would certainly grow foot traffic and encourage people to linger. Right now, both sides of the street have a cheap and down-market vibe — not tempting at all for people to visit.”
Darren said: “It’s ridiculous that there is a proposal to replace theMansfield Tavern with yet another block of shops, when Mt Gravatt Central shops are struggling to stay trading.
“It would be great to see a Stones Corner-style approach` to MGC with lots of eclectic shops and possibly an IGA to give shoppers a reason to go there.
“Better parking would also be helpful.”
“Also a shopping centre going up at Rochedale. That won’t help,” Toni added.
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