Long-term, local Byron businesses are calling on the community for support as they struggle to remain afloat as the drainage works in Byron Bay continue.
‘Five months in and the roadworks have choked the central road so badly that people just can’t manage navigating around them. You can still park in the centre, but you have to work for it, and most don’t. They drive on by, or they skip the trip entirely,’ owners of Dr Moose T-Shirts Rachael and Dale Warburton told The Echo.
Sam and Sandra Vickers who own the Hot Bread Kitchen next door agree telling The Echo that, ‘This is our third lot of laneway closures. They have a huge impact on us as a local business as we rely on the foot traffic for business. We were promised by Byron Shire Council (BSC) that the side laneway would be open prior to Easter, but of course that didn’t happen. They did open some parts over Easter, but not the laneway. They haven’t been working in the laneway for over three weeks.’
Both businesses say they are down on sales between 45-50 per cent in the same period last year and they are struggling to keep their doors open.
Open the laneway
‘They were supposed to start in May 2025, but didn’t start till October. What is really frustrating is that the goal posts keep moving. You try and plan for it but then they move them. And sometimes people appear careless, like the contractor that damaged a business sign in the laneway. I don’t think they realise that this incidental damage leads to delays in things like the laneway opening which has such large ramifications on us as local businesses.’
‘We are not the only businesses struggling,’ said Rachael.
‘On top of years of rent hikes and the cost-of-living crunch, and now with the impact of the drainage works we have nothing left.’
What is the future of small businesses in Byron?
‘Every shop owner I speak to is in the same hole. Some deeper,’ she said.
‘This isn’t just a Dr Moose story. It’s the story of the family businesses that built Byron’s character, and they’re being replaced one shop at a time by national chains who can afford to lose money here just for a Byron postcode. Things like Cotton On and Sports Girl, they are here for the optics, they can afford to run at a loss as major companies, but we’re are family-owned businesses who work to feed our families.
The impact of losing Bluesfest, the drainage works, and a general economic downturn has made this year particularly difficult.
Council step up
‘The state of the town is dire, with three major construction sites impacting parking, and walkability aspects that encourage incidental purchases,’ People of Byron convenor, Brooke Mac, told The Echo.
‘Despite a ten-year-old Masterplan, there’s been little investment in shade, seating, landscaping and public spaces to enhance the town for residents and small businesses. We hope to work with Council to prioritise initiatives like investing in a “Buy Local” campaign or replace “The Rain is for Drain” banners that have been hanging at the towns entrance for three years. Small things that will benefit locals, visitors, and support independent businesses at this challenging time.’
Dr Moose has been a Byron staple local business for over 30 years and the Hot Bread Kitchen has been a family-owned business in Byron for over 45 years.
‘We need people to look at whether they want local, family-owned businesses to remain in Byron?’ said Rachael.
‘We are asking locals to think about shopping local and supporting local businesses – spend a dollar locally – rather than spending it with large brands and corporations – especially at a time when it is hard to get people to come in because of the road and drainage works.’
Byron Business Chamber president agrees telling The Echo, ‘The best thing we can do for these businesses is to vote with our feet and our wallets. Shops like Dr Moose, the bakery, the Corner Store, the newsagent are all in a fight for their lives at the moment so please go down and spend some money and time, show them that they are more than a past memory.’
Road to re-open at end fo June
Byron Shire Council has confirmed with The Echo that stage one of town centre drainage work is due to be completed by the end of November 2026. Jonson Street is due to re-open by the end of June (weather permitting). Byron Street will be the focus from July until November. They have confirmed that the laneway will re-open a the end of June.
‘There have been some delays to re-opening Jonson Street due to wet weather, but contractors will now be working more regular Saturdays, to get the road re-open as soon as possible,’ a spokesperson said.
‘Council has been keeping businesses as up to date as possible throughout drainage work on timelines, and trying to make sure we can support businesses with things like free parking for staff that lose access to parking on their business premises, and deferring footpath dining permit fees, for directly impacted businesses.
‘We have run an extensive media and advertising campaign throughout drainage work with the shop local message. We have also supported businesses by offering signage on construction hoarding where businesses are visually impacted, and most recently have installed electronic signage in the town centre to reinforce that businesses are open and urging people to shop local.’
Update: Since publication, Dr Moose has been able to negotiate some rent relief.
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