Locals give traders a festive lift

SUNRAYSIA shoppers have shown their support for local business by keeping customer numbers up in the absence of festive tourists.

Local businesses usually benefit from the influx of tourists visiting Mildura for summer holidays.

This year, due to recent flooding, it was reported that local tourist numbers were down, meaning the bulk of customers and diners were locals or their family members.

Mildura Regional Development chief executive officer Brett Millington said he had noticed that Feast Street had been “pretty quiet for this time of year”.

“For example, The Office (Wine Bar Mildura) opened on Tuesday but closed relatively early and people went to The Brewery because it was one of the few venues open that day,” he said.

“Within all of it, there would have been businesses who still maintained a pretty busy trade, but overall, it’s been a very different Christmas for us. But it was something we were expecting given the flooding situation.”

Mr Millington said retail had been well supported by locals and remained fairly busy.

“In the lead-up to Christmas, it was actually quite positive,” he said.

“Visiting friends and family, along with the locals are certainly forming the bulk of shoppers at the moment. We’re also continuing to attract people from surrounding areas like Broken Hill to shop here.”

Mayor Liam Wood said while tourist numbers were down it was good to see places like the Langtree Mall still busy with people.

“I think our community are great at helping each other out and looking after each other in times of need and this showed with people shopping locally and supporting local businesses, which was fantastic,” he said.

“Obviously we still need those tourists to be there as well, but the community and locals supported hospitality and retail really well over the Christmas period.”

Mr Wood said he hoped the good weather would continue to bring people out into restaurants and retail stores to continue to support them during the festive period.

“I am sure people haven’t had their biggest Christmas ever, but hopefully they have enough to make it a positive one,” he said.

Mr Wood said while he was thankful for the community that supported local businesses, he was also thankful for those that worked over the Christmas period to provide services to the area.

“A huge pat on the back to those people who worked over the Christmas period and sacrificed spending that time with loved ones it is always a hard decision to make but it is important to make it recognised as well,” he said.

“The people working late hours and over public holidays and missing Christmas Day, it is important they are acknowledged.”