When one door closes, another one (or a window) opens – depending on the adage you prescribe to.
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Recent months in Launceston has seen the announcement of the demise of a few of the city’s iconic businesses – first Birchalls, then Townsends Bakery and, most recently, Fitzies City Cafe.
The news has shocked the city’s retail faithful to the core, who have depended on these icons to create their own traditions around trains, cakes and frog-in-a-ponds.
While the news of these icons of our city is sad and the loss of these institutions will be felt, there are some rumblings of good news for small business owners in the city.
Groundwork has been laid (literally) for the Launceston City Heart project, which aims to create a more connected city in spaces such as the Brisbane Street Mall, Civic Square and the Quadrant. In addition, the University of Tasmania campus move and the North Bank development will similarly create easier-to-navigate links in the city. The UTAS move is also about much more than just a campus redevelopment, it is about creating industry links to learning. It will help educate the next generation of Launceston residents and create a strong student community.
While all of these projects have multiple aims, each of them has one thing in common – to ensure more people are moving around the CBD.
More people moving around the different parts of the CBD will mean good news for small businesses. New Cityprom executive officer Steve Henty said one of his priorities would be to establish how the city’s small business community can capitalise on the momentum of these projects. He said the links that will be created within the city will create opportunity and potential for retailers.
The Examiner also believes there is opportunity for small business and wants to continue the wave of momentum that we hope will crest soon.
On Thursday, The Examiner is launching its Better Business content that will aim to bring strong local business stories to our readers both online and in print. Better Business will promote innovation and success in Tasmania’s commercial sector and will tell the stories of the sector in a variety of ways. We are proud of our small business community. If you have a story you’d like to share contact hayden.johnson@fairfaxmedia.com.au or mail@examiner.com.au