As far as you looked, business owners had shut their doors, streets were empty, and the life of our capital was as locked down as we were due to the coronavirus. That time was our recent summer, with lockdowns and work-from-home instructions having a huge impact on trade.
The South Australian Business Chamber Chief Executive Andrew Kay is thankful that there has been such a positive turnaround in a short time since those quiet trading days and encourages city businesses to start thinking ‘what next?’
“Density restrictions are gone, and masks are required only in specific high-risk settings. Workers can and should return to the city and again enjoy their favourite morning coffee or lunch spot with colleagues.
“One of the greatest lessons of this pandemic is the importance of supporting local South Australian businesses. Through our partnership with the City of Adelaide and the Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA), we can help businesses take their next bold steps.
“Until the end of the year, city businesses have complimentary access to our Business Advice Hotline, training opportunities, and business growth consulting. Over the past two years, we have worked with nearly 500 businesses in postcodes 5000 and 5006.
“City businesses have turned it around, and we are at the beginning of a new phase for Adelaide. We are hearing from the tourism and hospitality sector that Adelaide is nipping at the heels of our east coast city counterparts now that we have the highest occupancy rates across Australia and New Zealand.”
City of Adelaide Chief Executive Officer Clare Mockler is equally confident about the future of the city and the strength and resilience of the CBD business community.
“More visitors to the city means more spending in cafes, restaurants, bars and retail and, importantly, creates local jobs.
“Many city businesses have received the necessary support through this partnership with the South Australian Business Chamber to help them push through some tough times – and now they can reap the benefits of this increased visitation.
“There have also been some exceptional stories of success through the Business Growth Consulting complimentary offer and it’s been great to see AEDA partner with the team at the South Australian Business Chamber to ensure businesses have access to the support they need.”
AEDA Managing Director Ian Hill says the economic outlook for Adelaide is strong, with new figures showing overall spend jumped from $342 million in June to $365 million in July — a seven per cent increase.
“Overall spend in the City of Adelaide also recorded its best July since 2018, which is a positive sign trade is continuing to improve.
“AEDA wants to see these figures continue to increase, so we are happy to have collaborated with the South Australian Business Chamber to help our traders overcome the hurdles COVID-19 threw at them, to ensure they keep their doors open.
“It is imperative we have a thriving and vibrant CBD for locals, interstate and international visitors enjoy.”
Here is what city businesses had to say:
For those businesses in postcodes 5000 and 5006, you have until the 31 December to access these complimentary services through the South Australian Business Chamber with the generous support of the City of Adelaide and the Government of South Australia:
