Community rallies to revive main street trading in Boggabri

Locals from Boggabri are banding together to boost their main street economy, creating new shops and a farmers market to attract visitors to the town.

With high-paying mining jobs and affordable housing available, Boggabri has become an increasingly popular location for young families and DIDO workers in recent years.

Carmen Brown from the Boggabri Business Chamber said while the influx of new residents is great for the town, many are choosing to shop elsewhere, particularly on weekends.

“The most consistent concern we hear from our retail members relates to declining Saturday morning trade along our main street,” she said.

“Many locals leave town on Saturdays for sport or to go shopping in Gunnedah or Narrabri, so it’s becoming difficult for our main street retailers to justify staying open.

“Within that context, we’re trying to give people new reasons to come into town on a weekend and hopefully shop local while they’re here.”

The Chamber will trial a monthly Saturday morning market during September, October and November at Middle Park, with potential to extend the market season.

Ms Brown said the markets will showcase a range of local produce and valued-added farm products, including beef, lamb, honey, native flowers, chutneys, relishes, cakes and herbs.

“We’ve had a great response from local primary producers keen to support the markets, and it’s really exciting to be able to offer fresh seasonal produce grown within the shire,” she said.

“There will also be a range of local handmade art, jewellery, candles, canvas bags, furniture and homewares available, along with some great live music.

“The markets are being held in the heart of our main street, which is ideal for encouraging visitors to wander through our local shops, pub and cafe while they are here.”

The Chamber is also working to attract new businesses into the CBD, offering financial incentives and volunteer labour to help upgrade empty shops for new business tenants.

A shop recently renovated under the project is now home to a local children’s clothing brand, which will hold a grand opening event to coincide with the first market next Saturday.

Ms Brown said it has been great to see so many locals getting behind the project.

“Many volunteer hours have been spent patching, painting and repairing these spaces to give them new life, and it’s been so rewarding to see them back in use.”

The markets are an initiative of the Boggabri Business Chamber, with funding support provided by Narrabri Shire Council and the NSW government.

The first market will be held this Saturday, September 14, between 8am and 12pm at Middle Park in Merton Street.

The ‘Boggabri Building Restoration Project’ is a $10,000 fund created by the Boggabri Business Chamber and Narrabri Shire Council to help repair vacant local buildings and commercial spaces for use by new business tenants.

Each project is a three-way partnership between the building owner, business tenant and the Chamber, with cash or in-kind contributions (such as labour, materials or substantial rent-free periods) contributed by each party.