The results of the the Shire of Northam and Northam Chamber of Commerce’s CBD survey are in, showing a local demand for more retail and activities within the town.
The survey, launched at the end of 2018 was conducted to assist research into issues identified by business owners that make business difficult.
Residents and business owners were asked to give suggestions on any gaps and potential business opportunities within the Northam CBD.
Some of the most highly identified gaps included shoe shops, retail stores like K-mart and Big W, a movie theatre and children’s indoor play centres.
Food was also a common answer with respondents saying that wanted more healthy food options and formal restaurant dining.
When asked about cost effective suggestions for activating the town’s CBD markets and outdoor cinemas were common responses.
The Northam Famer’s Markets, run by the Women in Business and Chamber of Commerce that were held every second Saturday announced that they would not continue into 2019 due to a lack of stall holders and a lack of attendance.
At the end of last year the Shire of Northam was working with Telethon to launch a summer outdoor movie series from December 2018 to March 2019 but the venture did not take place because of a low number of volunteers.
The Shire of Northam has said they are still exploring the possibility of an outdoor cinema conducted in a different format.
What has come from the CBD survey is the Wall of Ideas, the bright idea of Northam Chamber of Commerce president Michael Ryan.
The wall, based in the chamber office is their way of ensuring the ideas that were suggested and pop up from time to time are recorded and can be explored further when time and resources allow.
This survey saw more than 410 members of the Northam community suggest business opportunities and ways the CBD could be improved.
The information was shared with the Shire of Northam’s CBD redevelopment officer Michelle Blackhurst.
The data will assist the collaboration between the two groups to explore relevant opportunities.
To see the full list of responses from the survey see the Northam Chamber of Commerce website.