Government action needed to reverse CBD businesses’ ongoing slide

AS businesses throughout the CBD close their doors, those still open say more government action is needed urgently to keep their livelihoods viable and save them from closure

Florindo Li of Souvenirs Galore in the Smith St Mall, says that the past five years had been the worst his family business had seen with takings way down. Picture: Keri Megelus

AS businesses throughout the CBD close their doors, those still open say more government action is needed urgently to keep their livelihoods viable and save them from closure.

Florindo Li from Souvenirs Galore in the Smith St Mall said the past five years had been the worst his family business had seen.

“We’d be lucky if we make $500 a day in sales now. In terms of the economy here that’s how bad it is. We can’t pay rent or staff,” he said.

“We’ve been in the CBD for 40 years and it’s just gotten so bad. We have to close down a store now because they don’t lower the price of rent and it’s just too expensive.”

Mr Li said there was no incentive for people to come to the CBD.

“When Palmerston was built people moved out there, when they introduced the backpacker tax all the backpackers went to New Zealand instead and now you have to pay $4 just to park here,” he said.

“There are no trees or shade and it’s like a sauna. People go to Casuarina instead because of the aircon. I see people fainting almost daily because of the heat.”

Mr Li said even the cruise ships that came through had done nothing for business in the CBD.

“There are cruise ships coming in but they don’t shop or eat at restaurants because they can eat before they leave and no one shops in Darwin because of the prices,” he said.

So what’s the solution? Mr Li believes in order to attract more business, more incentives were needed to bring people in.

“People don’t come to the CBD anymore because there is nothing here. You need to have more pubs and activities like billiards and bowling. You can’t even go to the cinema anymore. There needs to be activities here for all age groups to look forward to,” he said.

“A bit of colour and some shade would do a lot of good as well, but we need something fast before more stores close.”