Update from the EO

Hello to all of our wonderful businesses,

Well we are finally crawling out of winter. The feedback we have been receiving from retailers in particular is that it is very unpredictable and days can be very quiet or very busy, but winter has been survived and we are all primed for summer and Christmas with new stock!

New businesses in the city

Exciting to see 4 new hospitality businesses pop up across the city, a great start to the new year, and I have had a sneak peak at the data for our shop occupancy in the city and we are still holding very steady and well below the national average of empty shop percentages. This is a great reflection on our quality businesses and something great to tell everybody to ensure perceptions are correct.

Some exciting birthday’s with Hope and Me hitting 15 years, House of Shoes 50 years and Timeless Elegance recently turning 21 in the city. We really do have a lot of great businesses to be proud of!

NORTH Festival is nearly here

NORTH tickets are flying out the door. I want to acknowledge both the hard work of Madi and my marketing team with the outstandingly high quality of the printed program and pulling the ticketing together on one platform for the festival this year. 3 events have sold out already, but there’s plenty to choose from if you are quick. Please talk to your customers, let us know if you want brochures for your counters and gather some friends together to get out and support our hospitality venues. Every event attended has the opportunity that the person will be in town and spend more, stay and shop so use the opportunity to talk up Launceston and create visitation. Sharing on your socials and newsletters would be much appreciated.

What could you do?!

• Grab your staff and have a fun Monday night out at the Gourmet Games at Tatler Lane!
• High tea at the Gorge more your style?
• Get your creative juices running with a foodie themed tote bag or custom clay session at Paint the Town Red
• Those explorers out there will love the Urban Foraging Tour and the Gin Masterclass
• Shuck and Sip finale still has tickets available for the oyster lovers!

Other news around the city

There are plans afoot within council to start moving on some city plans, I am really looking forward to some announcements moving forward and seeing some upgrades to our city. More green, more people friendly spaces, more murals, more and varied busking, better lighting are all things that we have been speaking about with them and advocating for.

I look forward to sharing our new creative Christmas marketing plan with you next month. It is all focused on shopping local this Christmas and featuring YOU as the stars of the show.

As always, shout out if Madi or I can help you. We hope to see as many of you as possible on the 15th to get your opinions, feedback and ideas for our retail activations for 2025.

Amanda McEvoy

Executive Officer

Launceston Central