Parking, bus stops and a lack of foot traffic in the central business district were the biggest points of contention at a Launceston retailers meeting.
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The Launceston Chamber of Commerce hosted a meeting at Jim Hughes & Sons Jewellers, attended by about 80 people, recently to discuss the future of retail businesses in the city.
One of the key issues brought up at the meeting was the St John Street bus stops, according to Jim Hughes & Sons Jewellers owner Rob Turner.
“Antisocial behaviour around the bus stops was brought up and how that affects businesses,” he said.
“There are a few empty spaces behind the bus stops and we need to give proper consideration on how to deal with that.”
Cocobean owner Theresa Streefland said the tone of the meeting was varied, with some retailers despairing about the future of their companies.
People have to be a creative in how they run their business and try something new to get people through the doors.
- Cocobean owner Theresa Streefland
She said Launceston’s business owners had to get creative in the face of waning foot traffic in the CBD.
“I think if you always do what you’ve always done, then you’ll always get what you’ve always got,” she said.
“People have to be creative in how they run their business and try something new to get people through the doors.
“If parking is an issue then give people a couple of dollars back for parking.”
The issue of parking reared its head at the meeting, with many different solutions brought forward by those in attendance.
While some commented on the need to increase metered parking to two hours, others wanted free parking implemented through the city.
“Those attending agreed that parking policy should be focused on retaining as many people in the retail precinct for as long as possible,” chamber executive officer Neil Grose said.
Acting mayor Rob Soward said there were many different parking options in the city.
“Despite the commentary we sometimes see, parking demand remains very high in Launceston, and it's an area we continue to monitor,” he said.
Stefan Boscia
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
