Parramatta hospitality boom: Creating a night city that avoids the fate of Kings Cross
Parramatta is on the brink of a major hospitality boom on the back of a young workforce but local businesses say they need support to make sure the night-time economy thrives.
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Sydney’s second CBD, Parramatta is on the cusp of a hospitality boom, with hopes it can avoid the mistakes that led to lockout laws in the city and Kings Cross.
There are already a handful of trendy bars and night spots at Parramatta — such as Nick and Nora’s, Uncle Kurt’s Bar and Alex & Co — and more will soon follow to entertain the 25,000 office workers headed to the area over the next three years.
City of Parramatta has released a night-time economy report – Night City Framework 2020-2024 – on how the city can expand after hours as the population grows.
Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer said the draft report outlined ways to attract new and diverse opportunities like – businesses, live music and events – and to make the city safer and easier to navigate at night.
“Council is aiming to make it easier for businesses to trade and for events and entertainment to be offered across the City after hours,” Mr Dwyer said.
“Whether it’s through dining, live music, sporting events, family activities or retail offerings, we ant to boost the City’s night time economy and make Parramatta a thriving late-night destination.”
But it took four years simply to produce the report, which Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger said was slow — although the report itself was encouraging.
“Western Sydney has always been home to culinary delights from across the world that have come with the generations of new migrants who settled in Sydney’s greater west,” he said.
“We are now starting to see the top tier restaurant operators sit up and take notice of the opportunities to bring their style to Western Sydney.
“It’s a step in the right direction that the City of Parramatta has put together a framework to support and expand the night-time economy.
“A successful city needs to be alive at night, not just during business hours in the daytime.”
Responses to the report are open until November 11, when the public can have their say on what needs to happen if Parramatta is to thrive after dark.
The first step is to attract more venues and allow them to operate later.
Now, late night drinkers can only go to 24-hour pubs — not exactly an enticing option unless you like the monotonous dings and fanfare from the “smoky pokies” rooms.
Uncle Kurt’s owner George Makram, who was the first small bar operator in Parramatta, said the city needed be selective about finding the right venues to suit its plan.
“It’s being very selective around which bars and cafes open in Parramatta to be a credible place for a foodie and someone who loves great night-time experiences,” he said.
“We should be setting the benchmark as the city or Melbourne or, hell, even New York and Tokyo for the types of restaurants, wine bars and cocktail bars we want to open here and not just taking any operator.
“Because what happens is the lower quality venues build a reputation for poor experiences.”
Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue executive director Adam Leto said Council was on the right track to building a thriving night-time economy but agreed that to attract quality venues, quality operators need a carrot to be drawn out west.
“There are incentives they can provide to attract small bars and more night-life,” he said.
“In the past, Parramatta’s main activity around night-life has been big bars, big pubs. I think there is a movement for smaller premises.
“It’s just a case of opening door a little further.”
PARRA’S PRIORITIES
● Planning certificate clause for buyers to expect noise
● Pre-approved late trading
● Better lighting and paths in parks and sportsgrounds
● Night markets
● Double glazing for new residential buildings
● Constructive relationship between police and venue operators