BUSINESS confidence is at an all-time high in Tamworth as new stores thrust open their doors and existing ones expand to capitalise on a growing market.
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NSW Business Chamber New England manager Joe Townsend said there had never a better time to invest in Tamworth, as business owners profit from the Christmas and Country Music Festival rush.
It comes on the back of a foodie boom, where a swag of new eateries – from Mexican and gourmet burger joints to the high-end Goonoo Goonoo Station – opened across the city in October.
Now, the retail sector is experiencing growth of its own.
Empower Lifestyle Clothing opened its doors on Peel Street just before Christmas, while the HoneyPot Health has diversified by opening a cafe next door to its White Street store.
“Business is booming (in Tamworth),” Mr Townsend said.
“Retail in particular, from the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Christmas and January, makes half their trade for the year.
“All new businesses and (those) expanding are great for the economy.”
Mr Townsend said, despite some CBD businesses closing their doors in recent months, business growth was stronger than ever.
Loot Homewares closed its Peel Street store citing high rent on December 28.
It came in the wake of a toy and hobby business closing up shop and Pumpkin Patch entering into voluntary receivership in October.
Despite the closures, Mr Townsend assured the latest statistics revealed there were twice as many business starting in the New England region than there were closing.
It’s a trend Tamworth mayor Col Murray said proved there was growing confidence to invest in the future economy of the city.
“I’ve been involved in small business all my working life," Cr Murray told The Leader.
“I’ve worked for myself since 1972, so I’m very happy to see more small businesses opening and growing.
“(Businesses opening and expanding) is a really good barometer for the commercial health of the city. There’s no better measure.”
Cr Murray said the current business boom is what Tamworth Regional Council works towards.
“This is really what we aspire to and work towards,” Cr Murray said.
“It’s not council’s role to do business, but we provide the economic climate to allow businesses to be successful.
“It takes time and opportunities for businesses to prepare and position themselves to capitalise on customers so it’s great to see (them opening now).”
Cr Murray believed Tamworth had a great selection of businesses, but has had many requests from community members for a Myer or Grace Brothers to take up shop in the city.
“I’d like to see a bit more high-tech industries and service providers,” he said.
Cr Murray is now eyeing inner-city living development to advance the city’s business boom.
“I’d like to work towards that,” he said.
“There’s a lot of first floors empty.
“I know there’s difficulty with planning requirements, but it’d be great to have more people and and activity in the CBD.”
