Parramatta Eels fans key to helping Church St businesses

Restaurateurs on a troubled western Sydney dining strip are hoping the mighty Blue and Gold Army can buoy their flagging businesses.

Eels legend Peter Wynn and Restaurant 317 owner Pierre Sande fuel up for the footy season. Picture: Angelo Velardo

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Restaurants on Parramatta’s Church St hope the return of the NRL season can also kick off a trading boost for the embattled dining strip which has been plagued by the start of light rail works.

Parramatta’s “Eat St” has been blocked to traffic since February 1, when work on the $2.4 transport project started, but several establishments such as Ray and Lou’s and Mille Uno have already left.

However, the round one Parramatta Eels v Canterbury Bulldogs blockbuster on Thursday night — when a sellout crowd of 30,000 spectators are expected pack Bankwest Stadium — could tackle dwindling dining numbers.

Peter Wynn and Pierre Sande can’t wait to see rugby league supporters fill Parramatta again. Picture: Angelo Velardo

Restaurant 317 owner Pierre Sande is anticipating the return of footy season.

“If you’ve got 25,000 people at the stadium, you only need half a per cent of that, not even one per cent, (to boost business), because there’s an influx of people,’’ he said.

The recent closure of the Riverbank carpark because of flooding and lack of parking because of construction projects has also hindered foodies flocking to Parramatta.

Parramatta’s strong supporter base can help boost the local economy. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Parramatta will take on old foes Canterbury-Bankstown in a blockbuster match. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty images

The council will waive outdoor dining fees until June but there won’t be any financial assistance after that.

“When all the hoarding’s up and the outdoor dining’s gone (in June) … they’re going to have all empty shops in Church St,’’ he said.

Pierre Sande and Peter Wynn are affected by the changes in Church St. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“To be honest our regulars will pull us through it but we’ve had people cancelling on reservations because they can’t come into Parramatta.’’

Mitchell Moses scores the first try at Bankwest Stadium last year. Picture: Dean Lewins

Eels legend Peter Wynn is excited about the expected influx of customers for his Church St store and the atmosphere diners will bring to the hub.

“I think Thursday night will be quite exciting for them to have that buzz with so many clients coming through,’’ he said.

Just a fraction of a packed Bankwest Stadium could drive up business on Church St, traders say. Picture: Matt Blyth/Getty Images

“It will get that rugby league feel back into the city of Parramatta and pick up trade as well as fans make their way to the stadium.”

The dining strip is only closed to traffic, not hungry visitors. Picture: Angelo Velardo

Other fixtures at Bankwest Stadium also have business owners rubbing their hands with glee.

The Elton John concert on Saturday is expected to pull 28,000 fans to witness his final Aussie performance for the Yellow Brick Road farewell tour.

On March 21 the Western Sydney Wanderers host Sydney FC for the local derby.