Traders band together to stop exodus from trendy Oxford Street

One of Brisbane’s most upmarket shopping strips is facing a battle to survive, with remaining retailers banding together to find a way to turn fortunes around as 20 shops sit vacant along the main street.

Owner of House on Oxford Andrea Trutwein says the precinct has to hold on to its village vibe. Picture: AAP/Jono Searle

TRADERS in Bulimba’s trendy Oxford Street fear the growing number of empty shops is pulling the precinct down as a destination.

About 20 shops have closed along the street in recent years.

Shop owners held their second meeting last week to come up with a strategy to turn things around.

Racecourse Road traders struggle through Kingsford Smith Drive works

They blame rising rents forcing the small, boutique shops – a big part of the precinct’s appeal – out, and fear they are being replaced with franchise food outlets.

South East Brisbane Chamber of Commerce President Rebecca Llewelyn said the precinct was at risk of losing its appeal as a destination.

“There is a challenge for a lot of the small operators with the rent. The other challenge is it is not getting the amount of flowthrough traffic it used to get,” Ms Llewelyn said.

“Oxford Street’s strength is the uniqueness.

“If Oxford Street does become just another South Bank where it is all the same, it loses its charm.

“It was a destination precinct. There used to be a lot more unique shops and interesting things that had been there for a long time and were really popular.“

Delizioso On Oxford recently closed. Pictures: Brian Bennion

Oxford Street is not alone with the problem of empty shops, with Stones Corner and Mt Gravatt Central facing similar issues.

Ms Llewelyn said Oxford Street needed a central marketing group and suggested a buy local campaign to find a solution.

“There is a resurgence of buy local, support local campaigns. That is something these precincts could lean on and could promote more, working together as a collaborative unit,” she said.

“You’ve got Howard Smith Wharves and Newstead and a lot of destination precincts happening. That is what Bulimba Oxford Street lost. It has lost that ability to be a destination precinct.

The Manhattan Line is up for lease.

“The cinemas and restaurants around it get good support, but anything down towards the river is quiet.”

Councillor Kara Cook (Morningside) met with about 30 business owners on the issue last month and is hosting a further meeting with State Member for Bulimba Di Farmer on October 10 at Bulimba Golf Club.

“From a council perspective the street facade and appearance are things we need to work on in terms of rejuvenating the look and feel of Oxford St,” Cr Cook said.

“Some of the businesses have also raised lighting and I have raised that with council officers as part of the City of Lights project.”

Earth N Sea Pizza site is to be redeveloped.

Cr Cook also said more local events, an up-late shopping night and local markets were ideas being discussed.

House On Oxford owner Andrea Trutwein said streetscape and tree lighting and a marketing group were great ideas but high rent from the street’s few property owners would force further closures.

“It’s also to do with street vibe,” she said.

“We’ve got five ice-cream shops, five sushi places and we’re about to get two more burger shops, so there’s five of them, and they are mainly franchise.

Another shopfront up for lease.

“We are trying to keep Oxford Street as a community and have a point of difference. The landlords put in whoever will pay the rent but it is not doing businesses any good.

“We’re just not getting the traffic. It is very quiet and everyone is ordering Uber Eats so the street is full of little cycles.

“It would be a shame if we lose that village vibe.

“I get a lot of tourists coming across on the CityCat and they say Oxford Street reminds them of Noosa. It has those quirky shops. We need to keep that vibe in Oxford Street.”

For lease.

Another building left vacant.

Two more businesses up for lease.

Two neighbouring businesses that are no longer operating.