MOUNT Gambier Chamber of Commerce has vowed to progress the development of a management body to oversee the growth of the inner-city business district.
This follows international retail expert David West floating the idea during his visit to the Blue Lake city last week.
Mr West argued main street precincts should be managed similar to shopping centres, which drove new investment, retailers, branding and marketing initiatives.
Chamber president Lynette Martin OAM said Mr West’s visit was well received from business operators, including the city’s real estate industry.
Given the momentum created by Mr West’s address to the city business fraternity, she said the sector must now work together to see the formation of a management organisation come to fruition.
“We now need to find a way forward to form a group. The CBD has to be managed so we can drive growth and new opportunities,” Ms Martin said.
But she said this would need the collective effort of retailers and landlords who operated and owned commercial property in the heart of the city.
“If we boost retail spending, this will see more people employed and commercial rental properties achieve solid returns,” Ms Martin said.
“The chamber is very keen to see this management group formed. It will help to further build a robust and vibrant central business district.”
She said a thriving inner-city precinct was vital for Mount Gambier’s overall economy given it was the “barometer” of any regional centre.
During his two-day visit, Mr West said main streets across the world were struggling with similar issues being seen in Mount Gambier.
“Management is the key – it is number one. Main street marketing can build a brand … and loyalty from customers,” he said.
Importantly, research can be undertaken to find out what customers are looking for in a main street.
“This must be done annually to keep up with trends – retail is moving so fast, we have to be on top of it,” Mr West said.
“We need to adopt the shopping centre principle of all working under the one roof , basically working as one street … if we work as one street, we can attract more customers.”
Mr West said “business improvement districts” were popping up around the world and were “delivering good results”.
