At Thursday's meeting, the City of Launceston council unanimously agreed to look into whether a food business in the mall would be possible, safe, and financially viable.

The notice of motion was put forward by councillor Nick Daking and asked the council to complete a feasibility study to identify a suitable site for a food business, and the services required such as water, power and waste.

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Cr Daking said he was elected to council by promising to activate the central business district, and was well aware of the negativity around the mall.

"I've had nothing but positive feedback in the past week [about the motion]," he said.

"Everyone has an idea ... but we potentially run the risk of ideas without action, and the mall needs action."

Cr Daking said it wasn't about finding a business that would compete with other businesses or one that was not paying the same commercial rate as a bricks and mortar business.

Most councillors agreed it was a proactive approach by Cr Daking.

Councillor Hugh McKenzie said the council had spent a lot of money on City Heart projects, which are not all complete, and wanted to make sure the motion fits in with that project.

He also said for the motion to have substance, it needs to have a timeline.

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Councillor Janie Finlay said it was important respect the capabilities of the organisation to deliver this report with councillor Alan Harris agreeing.

"We do need to recognise this is additional work, but it's very important to know," he said. "It doesn't have to be war and peace, just the basics."

Councillor Tim Walker said the council needed to finish the work it started by revamping the mall, saying the space needed to be activated now.

Councillor Andrea Dawkins was not at the meeting.

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