Artarmon Village Inc, the chamber of commerce for the Artarmon shopping strip, would like to improve the experience of our wonderful, dedicated shoppers and also help our retailers. Trading has generally improved since the lockdowns and loss of confidence brought on by Covid.

People all over are now much better vaccinated. Customers are returning but business proprietors are struggling to find employees because of the low jobless rate.

Sad news to report is the closure of Gelatissimo in Wilkes Avenue. The business suffered badly during coronavirus and then Sydney had its wettest summer for decades – not conducive to eating ice cream, no matter how fabulous. We thank the proprietor, Ricky Norris, for her great service to customers and for being an active and positive member of the Artarmon Village Inc committee.

In recent months, we have welcomed the opening of TSG Artarmon at 98 Hampden Road.

The redevelopment of Hampden Road over the next year or two will be the biggest change in 50 years and perhaps longer. As Artarmon Village has consistently said, we are disappointed in Willoughby City Council’s effort to engage shopkeepers in the early planning stages. In our opinion, the urban architects should have first met the stakeholders most affected – the retailers. We see this as being similar to someone renovating your house yet not asking you for your needs or opinions.

While the redevelopment has positive aspects, our concerns include: • the likely loss of more convenient parking spaces, after parking has already been reduced last year • too much emphasis on kerbside extensions and on one traffic lane when two are sensible in congested areas • narrowing of Hampden Road by one metre between Jersey and Broughton roads. Artarmon Village Inc’s 15-point plan for the precinct includes: • improve the facade of the shops between Jersey and Francis roads by introducing a consistent style and colouring to groups of shops • convert the underused section of Village Green on the east side of Hampden Road immediately north of the station exit to an area for music performances, farmers’ markets, pop-up coffee shops • close Broughton Road at Hampden Road to link the two blocks of shops, improve pedestrian safety and create another small precinct with tables and chairs.

Also in our plan is the decades-long quest for public toilets, more use of the area south of the railway pedestrian tunnel, more lighting, Artarmon Village signage – and more ideas. Please email artarmonvillage@gmail.com with your feedback or for more information.

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