RETAILERS struggling in a tough economic climate are in need of respite in the form of lower rates and cheaper rent, as the number of vacant shops in the CBD continues to rise.
This is the call from some retailers and Swan Hill Inc as the potential big department store is mooted to draw more customers away to North Park, as the sale of the parcel of land progresses.
It comes after recent rains of up to 88mm for June and a promising short-term rainfall outlook, which are expected to bring a significant economic boost to the local retail sector.
Swan Hill Inc’s retail committee chairman Terry Jennings said Swan Hill Rural City Council rates for current CBD businesses should remain market-driven, but the threat of a Discount Department Store (DDS) at North Park was a possible exception.
“As a retail group we have or will be asking council what measures they will take to negate the effect of a DDS on a CBD that is already under the pump as evidenced by the number of vacant shops and businesses for sale,” Mr Jennings said.
Fifteen months ago The Guardian revealed there were more than 12 empty shop fronts between Campbell and Beveridge.
While it is not suggested that the number of retailers has declined, a stroll around the CBD today reveals the number of vacant buildings has risen to at least 17.
Mr Jennings said Swan Hill Inc’s figures showed there been a net gain of eight stores (15 new businesses had opened, seven had closed and 12 had moved or upgraded) in the last year.
“This is however across the CBD and not just the main strip,” he said.
For more of this story, see Friday’s Guardian (June 21).
