‘Share the good’ about CBD, Hamilton business advocates say

Times may be tough but one business advocate wants to create a “ripple effect” of positivity across Hamilton’s CBD.

That was the key message from Hamilton Central Business Association chair Chelsea Fleetwood at the association’s annual general meeting on Monday evening.

Board members, business owners, council staff and elected members attended the meeting held at Garden Place’s Pascoe’s Building, which is currently being renovated into retail and office spaces.

HCBA is the driving force behind Love the Centre, an initiative to promote and advocate for the central city. Recent campaigns include Love Bites, which has seen more than 30 eateries dish up bite-sized morsels and advocating for the return of two hours free parking in the CBD.

Fleetwood described the central city as an “undiscovered gem”.

“The narrative of Hamilton hasn’t always been a positive one, but that is changing and the work that this association does is really important in that,” she said.

“The return of two hours free parking has been welcomed by the business community, and as a board, we’re continuing to advocate for investment in the CBD, particularly in the public infrastructure and lighting, safety, [and] streetscapes.”

However, she was candid that the past 12 months had presented “very challenging” conditions for CBD businesses.