Where have all the landlords gone? by Barry Thompson

Ever since I’ve lived in Artarmon, the folklore has been that a few individuals or families own all the property along the Hampden Rd shopping strip and Wilkes Ave. They picked up the real estate cheaply as the nature of the strip changed and old traders folded. The more adventurous of them upgraded and redeveloped and found new vital tenants.

Others did less and took whatever tenant was available – so came the brothels and massage parlours (despite Council’s and residents best efforts). Well, it seems some of those landlords must be hurting now! Since the last Gazette, the butcher has gone; as has the shoe shop; the travel agency above the Newsagency has moved to North Sydney; and the downsizing of the CBA branch is imminent. Some prominent premises have been empty going on four years. Other shopkeepers have decided that it is no longer worth their while to open on Sundays.

Local trading circumstances have been made more difficult by the pull of the big chains and the restaurants by the enlivening of the Chatswood CBD as a result of the Concourse and the burgeoning number of eating establishments it has encouraged. But these pressures have not arisen overnight.

Perhaps those enterprising landlords are now in their senior years but have yet to hand over the financial strings to the next generation.

The accompanying article on this page calls for some new thinking and mentions successful examples of strip shop revitalisation around Sydney. Willoughby Council is sponsoring a series of lectures suggesting generalised strategies for renewal with mixed success so far. APA has provided seed funding for the AV initiative but so far there are few signs of germination. And, personally, I do not expect many until landlords engage. If you are a business owner, can I suggest that you not only become involved with AV yourself but that you make sure to ask your landlord what he plans to do to help your mutual situation. You might choose to wait for your next rent review, but I would suggest it is more urgent than that.

Finally, remember the old adage: You must spend money to make money.

What it takes to make a village grow by Parry Aliferis

As with many residents of the area, both newly arrived and those with deep roots, the ‘village feel’ of Artarmon is what attracted me to the area. Of course the convenience is a major factor, as is the diversity and availability of most conveniences.

Sometimes when I pick up my morning coffee on Hampden Rd, the buzz of commuters running almost late for work and the school kids being hand held to school portrays a well functioning, almost typical scene of contemporary suburban life. It would be easy to become complacent. But just like the natural environment on which we build our village, without renewal and regrowth, things can start to stagnate and decline.

“Ensuring the healthy functioning of the village means creating systems for feedback, for improvement and for ensuring that the interests and values of the community are reflected in the services and businesses within it.” The Street Fair held late last year demonstrated a strong interest for semiregular gatherings where local business and cooperatives can display their produce/wares and build ties with the local residents. In even more successful models of the Street Fair, people come from all across Sydney every year to experience the entertainment, the smells and sights of the fair – and there is a boost to local business.

Another key element of the village is its unique character; its identity. What makes this village different from others? What is unique about it? Why would people visit Artarmon village? Apart from the ‘Japanese quarter’ on the eastside, what is the unique character/identity of the main strip?

Perhaps it’s time to take a fresh look at this shared village space, to re-define what it is and what our community wants it to be. By creating a system of engagement and participation within the community, we may just see the green shoots of growth appear and a new chapter in the long history of Artarmon emerge. AV Progress Report by Nick Logan Artarmon Village is a collaboration of business owners, landlords and residents striving to reinforce the Hampden Road and Wilkes Avenue precinct as a vibrant shopping village.

Since the last Gazette AV committee members, Felicity Simpson (Art on Skin) and Mat Smallwood (Bakers Delight), have had success in engaging with Willoughby City Council to plan gurneying the Hampden Road pavers, repainting the balustrades, replacing the garbage bins for ones with built in ash trays and replacing the planter boxes conditionally on them being adopted by adjacent businesses.

AV is soon to be incorporated, which will allow us to establish our own bank account and to evolve with some autonomy. Guidance to incorporation and a bespoke constitution has been very generously provided by Kathy Nguyen and John Peacock of Artarmon’s own Associations Forum Pty Ltd.

After last year’s wildly successful night markets we certainly intend to apply for a seeding grant for another one during this year’s Willoughby Council Spring Festival and would like to have more frequent community events.

We are currently distributing a petition to local businesses so that we can reinforce the urgency of a resolution to the unapproved DA for 98-102 Hampden Road. It is currently crippling the shopping strip and warding off potential businesses from moving into the empty shops.

When we are ready to incorporate, the next step for AV will be to call a meeting to elect officers and develop a structure to maintain our momentum. We expect to reach this stage in the next few months. Our vision is to one day also have a clean, new colour theme for the façade and streetscape which badges us as high quality, united, community shopping strip. Everyone is welcome to join the emailing list for AV. Email your details to artarmonvillage@gmail.com.au

“This is the Artarmon Village section of the Artarmon Gazette. To read the full copy of the Gazette please click here“