Dandenong shops: More than 50 shops and eateries, closed, vacant or boarded up.
Dandenong’s once-thriving retail precinct has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with more than 50 shops and eateries closed, vacant or boarded up. The Leader paid a visit and it was a depressing sight.
South East
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Dandenong’s central business district has been hit hard by the coronavirus crisis, with dozens of shops closing their doors as trade continues to slump.
The Greater Dandenong Leader visited the precinct this week and found more than 50 shops and eateries closed, vacant or boarded up.
Lonsdale St, which includes popular eateries and fashion retailers, has taken the hardest hit with more than 20 shops up for lease.
Foster and Langhorne streets also each had at least 10 shops vacant or up for lease.
Nikita Fashions owner Shameela Singh said it was “very upsetting” to see several shops shut amid the pandemic.
“It would have been very hard for some business owners to sustain their businesses, especially ones who have had no government assistance,” Ms Singh said.
“We have been very excited to reopen and we’re looking forward to it going back to how it used to be.”
Thomas St trader Zack Mohammed said the pandemic had taken a huge toll on his business.
“It’s been a very sad time, I have had hundreds of dollars in bills including council rates and electricity — it’s very hard,” Mr Mohammed said.
Evoke Supplements owner Nav Khullar said he had seen dozens of shops shut their doors due to the pandemic.
“Parking is still a major issue in the area but some shops have been vacant for years,” Mr Khullar said.
“The council need to revitalise the area and make it more appealing like they have with Little India –—it’s the only way to attract more customers.
Foster Street (Little India) Traders Association president Shahid Syed said shops within the Little India precinct had managed to survive in recent months.
“The good thing is that everyone has survived, I haven’t heard from anyone that has closed down,” Mr Syed said.
“It’s very unfortunate that other shops in the area have shut down because of this pandemic and owners can’t pay their rent and bills — it’s happening all across Melbourne.”
Greater Dandenong council business and major project director Paul Kearsley said the council understood the enormous challenges businesses had faced this year.
“The economic and personal toll of this pandemic has been widespread,” Mr Kearsley said.
“We and the other levels of government are working hard to provide practical and tangible assistance in the short term, and significant planning to attract new investment to strengthen businesses for the long term.”
He said the council had received an overwhelming response to both rounds of its grants program, with 86 grants awarded in Round 1.
Round 2 closed on October 26 with 266 applications received and under assessment.
Mr Kearsley said the council had also provided free thermometers to businesses, mentoring sessions, assistance with COVIDSafe guidelines and support to increase outdoor dining capacity.
“We want to make it as easy as possible to welcome the community safely back to local businesses.
“Greater Dandenong City Council welcomes applications from businesses to extend trading onto footpaths, streets and appropriate on-street carparking spaces.”
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