Food trucks, special events to help draw people back to Sydney suburbs
Councils have created a Sydney-wide plan to help local businesses recover from Covid. This comes as a Big W is set to open in the CBD for the first time.
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From food trucks to concerts, art shows to street markets, town centres are doing everything they can to tempt people back.
It’s part of a Sydney-wide plan where councils are trying to help businesses recover from Covid.
Virginia Cheong, owner of Cafe de Vie at Homebush, said her business was still reeling from the Omicron outbreak and was now facing the additional challenge of increased costs.
“Covid has been a really difficult time but we’re still feeling the after-effects,” she said.
“The supply chain isn’t stable, prices have gone through the roof and we have to pass that cost on. A lot of customers aren’t accepting of that cost increase and sometimes it feels like we might as well shut down the business.”
Cafe de Vie will be part of Street Festival 2140, a new festival Strathfield Council will run over six consecutive weekends from next Friday, March 11.
It’s hoped performers, kids activities, street markets and drone shows will breathe life back into Homebush.
“Strathfield Council was one of the 12 LGAs that faced the harshest restrictions due to Covid-19 and, while restrictions have lifted, the economic recovery has been slow,” Strathfield Mayor Matthew Blackmore said.
“The past year has been a difficult time for all of us, particularly the two key town centres Homebush Village and Homebush West, as businesses now try to rebuild from not only extended lockdowns but also decreased consumer confidence.”
Parramatta is also set to transform when its autumn event series kicks off on March 17. Over five weeks, Parramatta will feature concerts, kids activities, food stalls and art installations.
“Outdoor spaces have been so important for our community during the pandemic but now it’s time to meet up, have some fun and help our arts, music and hospitality industries get back on their feet,” Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis said.
Hornsby Shire Council has so far provided $3.4m in relief for struggling businesses, including a pause on outdoor dining and licensing fees.
Now the council has turned its attention to reactivating shopping strips and public spaces.
“Our Food Truck Fridays events are making for a Covid-safe and friendly environment where people can relax and enjoy our public spaces, providing a boon to local small businesses and our performing arts community,” Hornsby Shire Mayor Philip Ruddock said.
Sutherland Shire Council has also provided a mix of financial and non-financial relief, including $300,000 in fee waivers to help small businesses keep their heads above water.
“Council looks forward to welcoming many local business operators at its small business month summit on March 15,” a Sutherland Shire Council spokeswoman said.
Big W coming to CBD
The arrival of a big-name store in Sydney like Chanel or Louis Vuitton used to get the CBD excited but, in 2022, the biggest buzz is over the opening of a Big W.
That’s because, in this post-lockdown world, opening a discount department store in Sydney’s CBD is viewed as a vote of confidence in the city centre and could pave the way for other suburban brands to move in.
Woolworths Group will spend $10 million to open a Big W store at Town Hall alongside a refurbished Woolworths supermarket.
It will be the first Big W in the CBD and is expected to open mid-year.
“By bringing together Woolworths and Big W in the one location we can improve the local shopping experience for our customers while driving more activity in Sydney‘s Town Hall precinct,” Woolworths Supermarkets managing director Natalie Davis said.
The CBD has been hard hit by the pandemic, with businesses struggling to survive as city workers stayed home.
City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the new store would be a boost as consumer confidence rebounds.
“It’s a real vote of confidence in the CBD’s underlying strength and future potential,” Ms Moore said.
“We’re already seeing an upswing of activity as workers begin to return to city centre offices and a release in pent-up demand to be back in town among friends and colleagues, enjoying everything the city has to offer.”
Committee for Sydney chief executive Gabriel Metcalf said the prosperity of the CBD relied on city workers returning to their offices.
“Trying to force people back to the office isn’t going to work, we need to make it an irresistible place to spend time,” Mr Metcalf said.
“Thousands of people used to pour through Town Hall to pick up essentials on the way to and from work every day and we want to see that buzz of people again.”
Woolworths Town Hall will remain open while construction takes place.
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