THE revamped schedule for what was billed as Super Wednesday of Race Week had the winning formula, according to V8 Supercar merchandise retailer Geoff Dale.
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He runs News Xpress in William Street and says Bathurst Regional Council deserves a pat on the back for its initiative in trying to boost trade in the Central Business District on the day.
Traditionally there had been a free barbecue breakfast in Morse Park early in the day before the pantech parade at around 9am and then the autograph sessions in Kings Parade later in the evening.
However, this year the format was revamped, with the trucks making their way up William Street from 11am, an autograph session at noon and an appearance by the V8 Supercar swimwear contestants.
“Business has been really good,” Mr Dale said yesterday.
“The rearranged times were good for us in terms of retailing. Our trade on Wednesday was up quite substantially.
“I can only put it down to council’s reshuffle of the day. They deserve a big tick for getting it right because it had the desired result – getting people into town to spend money.”
Mr Dale said the bumper trade wasn’t only confined to his business.
“I noticed people around town carrying bags with purchases they’d made from places like Blowes Menswear and the Workwear shop,” he said.
“I was also out at Bunnings and stopped past SuperCheap Auto yesterday morning. They had people lining up from 7am as a result of their Bathurst 1000 promotion to win tickets and they were still busy at 10am.”
Mr Dale said, tongue in cheek, Ford merchandise was outselling Holden merchandise 15 to one.
“The Holden merchandise is like their cars – very slow – but very popular none-the-less,” he quipped.
For Maureen Lewis from Annie’s Ice Cream, Wednesday was a record-breaking day.
“A totally record-breaking day in fact,” she said. “Absolutely the biggest weekday takings we’ve ever done.
“I don’t know why. Maybe the fact that Mr Skaife came in for coffee or just the fact it was a perfect Bathurst day.
“However, it was brilliant that council organised the parade for 11am and that got more people into town. We had them out the door from 9.30am until 5.30pm.”
Trevor Kingham from Silva’s Newsagency said yesterday it was “all quiet on the western front”.
“It’s quiet today,” he said. “Actually, it’s worse than a normal Thursday at the moment. The fans are up at the mountain and the locals are staying away, too. It’s dead.
“I had a number of complaints on Wednesday about the changes to the times for the pantech parade and autograph session. It was busy through the morning, but by 2pm it was all quiet. Business just collapsed.”
Mr Kingham said he also has doubts whether or not Saturday’s street fair in Kings Parade will bring in business.
“I guess it’s just a matter of hanging in there and hoping we get something out of it.”
In the meantime, Tammy Middleton from the Bathurst Business Chamber, says businesses around town have been “pretty busy”.
“But I think the big influx will come on Friday and Saturday ahead of Sunday’s Great Race. Even last Sunday there were people in town with their big race jackets on, so the fans were here even then.
“The winners out of all of this, though, is the hospitality industry. Pubs, clubs, motels, restaurants, while the big supermarkets also do well.”
Mrs Middleton said she believes there will be a flow-on effect after the chequered flag falls.
“I think a lot of people will return home and think what a great place Bathurst is and come back for a return visit when things are a bit quieter,” she said.
