Creating breathing space in the CBD

IT IS still early days, but the efforts of Collective Whanganui will be watched with interest.

The group's idea is simple enough - generate interest among local artists (and others) to use space currently vacant in a number of inner-city stores.

If the ambitious project succeeds, it will - temporarily at least - reactivate empty storefronts, which are never a good look.

Collective Whanganui points out that use of the space should be seen as a short-term option. If any of these business ventures does show promise, they will have been given a leg up to look for a more permanent base and stand on their own feet. But this innovative enterprise hinges on both the goodwill and generosity of the landlords. Those building owners asked to provide the space for fledgling enterprises.

Doreen Hardy, chair of Mainstreet Whanganui, is leading the project and sees it as an opportunity for artists, creative and community groups to "dip their toes into entrepreneurial waters". There have been a number of inquiries from prospective entrepreneurs and, pleasingly, a number of landlords have indicated their willingness to be involved. That's the sort of positive start the collective was hoping for.

Mrs Hardy notes that at least 50 empty shop frontages in the central business district is "not a good look". What Collective Whanganui is proposing is just the sort of outside-the-square thinking that's required to bring about a change. For the building owners, their involvement is kept to a minimum as the collective will broker all arrangements, sort out rents and arrange liability insurance.

Any effort to bring vibrancy to our city centre is to be applauded and supported. For the thousands who visit the River City, the Avenue is one of our shop windows. And it's better to have the window full than empty.