The audit of the Lismore central business district (CBD) has seen occupancy rates hit 76.8 per cent.
The audit of shopfront and upstairs premises in the CBD by Lismore City Council (LCC) in June showed that despite increasing cost of living pressures across the nation, more businesses are opening in Lismore.
‘Now is the time to invest in Lismore and its future,’ said LCC in a press release.
‘Recent supported events like the Lismore Lantern Parade attracted an estimated 32,000 people throughout the day and evening, creating an economic impact of almost $2 million.’
$5,000 shopper cash prize
This is also supported by the $5,000 shopper cash prize initiated by Sarah Morrow from The Book Warehouse and Ben Anderson from Country Town Digital and Wayfarer Publishing to remind everyone that Lismore is once again pulsing with life with a great variety of shops and entertainment.
‘We have about 30 businesses on board where people can shop in the CBD and then enter the competition for the $5,000 prize money,’ Ben told The Echo. ‘Businesses in the Lismore CBD are open and trading and very excited to be giving one of their customers this amazing cash prize,’ said Sarah.
Shoppers can enter the draw by purchasing from one of the 30 participating businesses throughout July and entering a photograph of the receipt and their details on the website: www.shoplismorecbd.com.au.
Visitor increae
Recent SpendMapp data is also signalling growth in both visitation numbers and spend in the Lismore business centre and across the local government area. Total spending was up ten per cent in the CBD in May, compared to the same time last year. This consisted of a 20.9 per cent increase in dining and entertainment, a 9.6 per cent jump to professional services, a 1.8 per cent increase in general retail and a 2.3 per cent increase in food retail. Across the LGA, total spend jumped 6.3 per cent and there was a 7.9 per cent increase in the visitor local spend when compared to the same period last year.
‘It was always going to be slow increases once we hit 70 per cent occupancy but to reach an impressive 76.8 per cent by June 2024 is great news – and that doesn’t include shops like Trident Fish & Grill and others that have opened since, ‘ Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said.
‘And with the Workers’ Club soon to reopen, it really is the time to invest in Lismore before it becomes more competitive.’
Mayor Krieg said this Council was committed to creating the right conditions to attract more business investment in the city.
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