Plan to keep families coming into closed CBD as Supercars 500 roar into town
Some Newcastle business owners have reported they were down 80 per cent in sales when the Supercars came to town, but this year they have a plan to combat that.
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The Newcastle 500 Supercars is a massive event that brings people far and wide into the region, but it has also caused a few headaches for local businesses.
Some business owners have reported they were down 80 per cent in sales when the Supercars came to town, with closures adding to their woes.
But, a local business owner has decided to re-activate areas like the Hunter St mall during the event and encourage families to keep coming in.
“It is a perfect time to activate the mall with the street being closed, utilise that time and increase trade,” said Ka-fey cafe owner Lucy Glover, the brainchild of Super Duper Karts.
“There’s a time where we all struggle during the supercars, the first year we over supplied and noone came.
“We’ve only been open for one supercars event and we had trade for breakfast but through the day there’s not very much.
“It’s hard for most businesses, every day is a bit of a struggle, it can be busy one day and dead the next, so we wanted to increase our fun factor when you think of Hunter street mall.”
This week the City of Newcastle launched ‘Enjoy Newcastle’, a program of events and activities to create a festival atmosphere in the city centre over the Newcastle 500 event.
Over the Supercars weekend, the Hunter St. Mall, next to the race precinct, will be abuzz with the billy cart challenge.
“Basically teams of two, someone sat in and someone pushing you, the whole of the saturday 10am-1.30pm, you can pre-register your spot via Facebook page or sign up on the day,” Ms Glover said.
“There’s going to be a pit stop where you can register.”
All 26 Supercars drivers will be on hand for a signing event, and a live broadcast of “Trackside” on Fox Sports.
There’ll also be pop-up shops, family-friendly activities and entertainment will continue at Civic Park throughout the weekend with a super-sized Newcastle-themed monopoly board, monster truck slide, jumping castles, obstacle course and an auto-race simulator.
Not to miss a dedicated under-six play area and an adrenalin-rush obstacle course suited to both big kids and adults.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the 2019 Supercars finale is set to bring thousands of visitors to Newcastle, which is the perfect opportunity to share all that we enjoy about our growing destination city.
“Now in its third year, the Newcastle 500 has firmly cemented its place as the city’s most anticipated sporting event,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The inaugural race in 2017 attracted a crowd of more than 190,000, with visitors spending over $12.5 million in the region.
“In 2018,Newcastle Airport announced a record number of passengers arriving on the first day of the event and Supercars set a record-breaking year in viewing audiences across television and digital platforms for the Newcastle 500.
“As thousands of event goers arrive for this year’s big race weekend, we’re poised to show-off our spectacular natural coastline and fabulous eateries. There will be plenty of fun for the family with opportunities for visitors and locals to soak up the atmosphere on and off the racetrack.”
Not to forget the international superstars coming to Newcastle, with KISS at No. 1 sportsground as well as local rocks The Screaming Jets, led by original front man Dave Gleeson.