tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post6632255186412987029..comments2024-03-29T12:36:41.063+11:00Comments on New England, Australia: Belshaw's World - Armidale's CBD problemsJim Belshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-60877609283273544672010-04-08T09:31:09.560+10:002010-04-08T09:31:09.560+10:00Hi David. Good to see that you are following me on...Hi David. Good to see that you are following me on Twitter!<br /><br />I, too, love the mall. And I think the fact that we do not have a huge, single, shopping centre is central to the mall's survival.<br /><br />In one sense, it doesn't matter how high the rents are if the businesses have the turnover to support this. <br /><br />Did you know that there used to be three licensed restrnts in that one block outside ordinary pub dining? Two were associated with pubs, one not. <br /><br />There also used to be four book shops; maybe five. I am trying to remember - I may be double counting one.<br /><br />The landlords do need to support development, but we need a unifying strategy.Jim Belshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-87764513876086896432010-04-08T09:02:09.662+10:002010-04-08T09:02:09.662+10:00Nice observations Jim,
We are 18 months in Armidal...Nice observations Jim,<br />We are 18 months in Armidale and our first impressions of the CBD were similiar. Very disjoint and some disappointing/empty/dilapidated shops.<br />We thought you could put all the shoppings centres into one and still only have a reasonably sized one.<br />The East and West shopping centres have helped the mall survive I think. You pick up some things from the major centres and then wander up to the mall shops. <br />I think landlords have something to answer for. At a time of high vacancy rates they should be looking after their tenants.<br />It would be ideal to have precincts - eating, coffee, boutique shops, bookstores. It is just such a hodgepodge. Florista recently moved to her residential address and many others are contemplating moves based mainly on rent. <br />Having said that, I love the mall, being able to walk down it with autumn leaves coming out and people enjoying the sun at the cafes. <br />But much can be done to improve it, and shopps have to be filled.David - Waterfall Way Designshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09601364162936636414noreply@blogger.com