Newcastle businesses are set to benefit from $500,000 worth of events thanks to the ‘Autumn Alive’ program, aiming to attract visitors to the city centre throughout May.
An outdoor cinema, street parties, pop-up bars and special exhibitions are just some of what will be a month-long program of free events in response to the lingering impacts of COVID-19.
Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes, said a thriving CBD was critical to Newcastle’s post-COVID recovery.
“The Newcastle city centre has a range of boutique makers and traders, hospitality venues, arts and cultural institutions that have been very seriously impacted by the pandemic,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle is giving people the extra encouragement to venture back into the city centre with an eclectic mix of free events and activations that will cater to everyone from families to couples and foodies.
“Thanks to funding from the NSW Government’s CBDs Revitalisation Program, the Autumn Alive program will help stimulate the economy and get people reconnecting and engaging in the city centre.”
Councillor Carol Duncan said the program made the most of the city’s facilities and would complement other key City of Newcastle sponsored events through autumn.
“Autumn Alive will be delivered in addition to an already vibrant events calendar for the season, including Surfest, Newcastle Writers’ Festival, Newcastle Food Month and Sailfest,” Cr Duncan said.
Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes welcomed the program and hoped it would help give businesses a much-needed boost as we descend into a traditionally quieter period of trade.
“Businesses in the city have experienced tremendous stress through COVID-19 (and) while many of them adjusted their operation to comply with the restrictions, many of them didn’t or couldn’t and were closed for long periods,” Hawes said.
“They won’t get the business back they lost, but measures like this program should attract patronage to the CBD, making it a great way to augment trade while the businesses get back on their feet.”
Hawes said he hoped the boost to the area would be sustained and not just “a flash in the pan”.
“It has been pleasing to note in recent weeks that a vibe is returning to the city and that accommodation and restaurant trade is improving, but we need to sustain this to make it a trend … we’re hoping the Autumn Alive activities can assist in this regard,” he said.
Maia O’Connor