If the almost complete section of the Berry Street footpath is anything to go by, the future for that part of the CBD is going to be impressive.
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At least that’s what business people who recently moved into the street hope.
Berry Street shopfronts have been plagued by for lease-signs.
However recent signs of business life are offering promise on the back of the footpath upgrade.
Clayton Muller from Barrington Homes opened just prior to the upgrade works starting.
He said the improvements would help draw more businesses to the street.
“The footpath is much better and much safer,” he said.
“There have been a few people complaining about the loss of a few car parking spaces but I think they are a fair trade-off for what we have now.”
Tabitha Booth opened Luscious Body Beautiful in Berry Street this week.
She decided on the Berry Street location because the shop space suited her needs, but said when the work was finished on the street it would attract more people.
“I admit all the empty shops were a bit of a concern. But hopefully with the Roxy repaint, the great architecture in the street and the new footpath it will become busier.
“I can’t believe how much foot traffic comes past here already. Even with the work going on,” she said.
Work on the footpath is progressing well with the southern end of the street now open to traffic.
The drainage improvements were put to the test recently during heavy rain.
The Dick Smith store used to flood in rain, a problem that has now been rectified.
Some of the street furniture is expected to arrive next week and the stone feature inlays are also expected to be finished next week on the southern section of the path.
Shoalhaven Mayor Joanna Gash said the improvements would have to make a difference to how businesses considered the street.
“We need to make it inviting for shops and as part of that we’ve offered an incentive if shopfronts need painting.”
Cr Gash has had discussions with the owner of the Spotlight building and said they had agreed to paint their shopfront.
The Roxy cinema will also be getting a fresh look.
“We are hoping to have Berry Street finished before the River Festival [October 25] and once it is finished we will be starting work in Egans Lane.”