WITH so many vacant shop fronts around the central business district, a resident has called upon Bathurst Regional Council to do more to support them.
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Stuart Pearson, who worked for 10 years as a strategist, adviser and business manager, drew council's attention to Bathurst's struggling retail trade at last week's ordinary meeting.
It has been more than two years since Masters Home Improvement shut its doors in Kelso - and around the country - and a slew of prominent local businesses have followed in its footsteps.
The long list includes small businesses like Chocaroma, the Acropole, Tommy's mexican restaurant, Two Heads Brewing and WJ Coote and Sons jewellers.
Mr Pearson said the problem extended to major shopping centres, with Bathurst Chase at the top of the list.
"It is under new management but still has up to a third of its shops untenanted. The place looks empty, unwelcoming and deserted," he said.
"One of the remaining two shopping centres – Bathurst City Centre – is better off, but it also has numerous vacancies throughout the centre."
With so many blank spaces both in the shopping centres and in the streets, Mr Pearson said the city looked "less vibrant, less successful and visibly showing signs of a downturn in economic activity and trade".
And he wants to know what council is going to do about it.
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With the question presented to the chamber, general manager David Sherley took it upon himself to answer it.
Mr Sherley agreed that council did have a responsibility to support the business community and outlined some of the ways it already does.
"The council recently adopted its economic development strategy, which does provide directions in certain areas," he said.
"Certainly as a council we've expanded significantly in the event horizons."
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In addition to the four motor racing events at Mount Panorama, council is also responsible for bringing the National Rugby League (NRL) to the city, hosting the Bathurst Winter Festival and it took over the operation of the Bathurst Cycling Classic.
"With that, whilst it has the Blayney to Bathurst event, it also has the significant events down town, such as the criterium event," Mr Sherley said.
Council also has a responsibility of attracting new residents and visitors.
Mr Sherley explained that council was working on both aspects, particularly on the visitor economy.
"We have been expanding our role and our number of cultural facilities so that by hopefully the end of this year we will have up and running four museums, as well as the art gallery," he said.
"The reason behind those is that they create lifestyle, but also because they create a reasons for people coming to visit to stay."
Cultural tourism is just one aspect, Mr Sherley said, adding the sports tourism was another focus. He highlighted the additional fields that will be constructed on Hereford Street.
"That hopefully is good for locals, but also encourages tournaments. It's a similar thing with the bike park, and next year we've got the international titles, which will attract around 14,000 people."
Council is also creating infrastructure, like the CBD wi-fi network, to make Bathurst more attractive to businesses.
After the meeting, Mr Pearson told the Western Advocate that Mr Sherley gave an articulate response to his question, but hadn't delved into a long-term plan.
"As good as one-off, seasonal or yearly events are, they only provide a short-term “sugar hit” to economic activity," he said. "There is no substitute for substantial, lasting and structural changes to the economy."
Mr Pearson called for council to introduce more long-term measures and suggested that revitalisation of a town square would provide be one measure to bring people into the area.
