Margaret St in desperate need of makeover

IT’S the lack of vibrancy and energy in the CBD that has business owners fearing about the fate of their stores.

IT'S the lack of vibrancy and energy in the CBD that has business owners fearing about the fate of their stores.

Traders are also worried about the impact of the new Grand Central redevelopment.

Some businesses are already struggling to keep their doors open, with Margaret St described as a "ghost town".

CONCERNED TRADERS: Margaret St business owners including Gary Wilson of Gelatissimo are concerned about the fate of Margaret St once QIC’s Grand Central redevelopment is complete. . Picture: Kevin Farmer

Gelatissimo owner and City Heart Toowoomba Group president Gary Wilson said it was the small things that would make a difference.

He said although the Toowoomba Regional Council had a master plan in place nothing seemed to be happening down the eastern end of the street.

"My main concern is the lack of energy. We need to create true CBD street culture which is what more people are seeking," he said.

"Parking is obviously an issue but it's not the only issue. The other side of it is the lack of attractiveness in the actual street.

"A lack of investment over a long period of time has caused the street to lose the vibrancy the CBD is supposed to have."

Ideas to bring life back to the CBD are more parking, better lighting, more public toilets, baby change rooms, permanent shade structures, outdoor dining, art work and colourful plants.

Toowoomba Regional Council planning and development committee chair Cr Chris Tait said there were no immediate plans to upgrade the streetscape in the eastern part of Margaret St.

But he said he was happy to speak to traders about what they would like to see happen.

"Council has been offering CBD heritage incentives for the past few years and a number of buildings have been brought back to life under this scheme.

"There are a number of ways that landholders can get involved.

"I am more than happy to talk about the options on offer at present."

Mr Wilson said he was desperate for council to prioritise Margaret St, especially with the lead up to the Grand Central expansion.

"As business owners we live and breathe the streetscape every day and we know what would improve the CBD," he said.

"It's the simple things that would make a difference but I feel like it falls on deaf ears.

"I know there are so many competing issues that council needs to look at but I think the CBD's dullness is what is holding the town back.

"The outer lying areas are beautiful but the heart of the city is a bit embarrassing.

"I think if some changes were made it would be a big winner for everyone."

Groceries and More Convenience Store owner Rhonda Theodosis said Margaret St needed a revamp sooner rather than later.

"I know if you have a good product people will come to you no matter where you are but the far end of Margaret St isn't inviting at the moment," she said.

"The buildings are dirty and in need of a paint job, there are business signs for businesses that haven't operated in years, there's no colourful plants and the lights are yellow and dim. It is just not attractive to people."

She also said parking and public transport were huge issues.

Her suggestion was for the council to work on a better public transport system, so city workers could catch the bus to work and not take up the limited number of parks.

"We need help from council sooner rather than later, otherwise shops will have to close their doors when the redevelopment opens," she said.

"I'm losing sleep worrying about what will happen to Margaret St when it does."

Jillys Cafe owner Steve Scheuerle said one way to make the street more lively was for more retail stores to open.

"I think the problem is that there are so many empty shops and not enough retailers in the CBD. I guess that is more an economic issue though," he said.

"If we could also get the owners to spend a bit of money on the buildings, this area would look so much nicer. We don't need to modernise this end of town, we just need to clean up what's here."

He said he was preparing for a tough three months when Grand Central opened.

"Whenever something new opens in Toowoomba people flock like mad because it's new and interesting which is understandable," he said.

"The customers will come back eventually so it's not like we will lose them but it will be tough."

Originally published as Margaret St in desperate need of makeover