Getting to the heart of renewal

Published 16 September 2020

The University of New England (UNE) has been putting its weight behind efforts to rejuvenate the business hearts of Armidale and Guyra through the burgeoning Renew Armidale initiative.

Modelled on the successful Renew Newcastle campaign, Renew Armidale is attracting creative entrepreneurs and their start-ups to empty shopfronts in the city's mall and Guyra's Bradley Street. Long-term, the aim is to generate vibrant new community-based and commercial activity in the retail centres that contributes to urban renewal.

Renew Armidale Inc. chair Aileen MacDonald said 12 creative businesses have cycled through spaces to date and four new shopfronts are about to be "activated".

From Indigenous workshops and art studios to high-end fashion, home furnishings and jewellery, the offerings and experiences have been as eclectic and enterprising as the people behind them.

"We're showing that this idea can work," Aileen said. "By activating these spaces, our participants are making the retail centres more attractive to other, longer-term commercial tenants. While in residence, they also help to maintain the buildings, and reduce crime and graffiti vandalism."

Proven model

By the end of its first year, in 2009, Renew Newcastle had initiated more than 40 creative enterprises and projects in what had been empty buildings. These included artist studios and art galleries, design businesses and small publishers, and retail shops for locally made arts and crafts. Ten years later, the economic and social flow-on effects included new jobs, skills development, volunteer engagement, conversion to commercial leases, and improved business and community confidence. For an investment of $208,000 in 2015-16, the total economic benefits were estimated to be worth $3 million - and the Renew model has inspired similar successful programs in regional centres throughout Australia.

"We hope to similarly attract designers, artists, musicians, thespians and artisans, as well as community groups - anyone with a commitment to breathing new life into these shopping hubs," Aileen said.

Renew Armidale's diverse volunteer board - which includes businesspeople, community members, artists and real estate agents - negotiates 30-day rolling partnership agreements with property owners and landlords. It also undertakes basic maintenance, removes graffiti and ensures the buildings are well kept, and supports tenants with business mentoring, web exposure and ecommerce facilities, insurance and electricity.

For potential tenants, the project provides a welcome space to work from, create and engage with customers - a major step in a new venture or a means of expansion for existing ones, without a huge cash outlay.

"Benefits are shared," Aileen said. "Landlords can rest assured their property is being used and well looked after while permanent tenants or buyers are sought, and the retail activity stimulates additional community and commercial interest. We hope Renew Armidale also gives creatives exposure to new markets and inspires ongoing place-making projects."

Town with Gown

UNE Director of Advancement, Communications and Events, Robert Heather, said UNE's support of Renew Armidale aims to encourage an innovative program that will attract further investment, visitation and community interaction in the Armidale and Guyra retail centres.

"UNE's involvement with Renew Armidale is part of our Town with Gown initiative, which positions the university as a catalyst for greater engagement within our regional communities," Robert said. "We see Renew Armidale as a creative solution to some of the complex problems regional communities are experiencing, including the drain of talented young people to larger cities.

"As one of the region’s largest employers, we know our students and staff prefer to live and work in vibrant and active communities - places offering lifestyle opportunities that attract visitors and residents from across the country and overseas - and we look forward to seeing Renew Armidale’s contribution to that vision."

Coming soon

Renew Armidale has a number of pop-up events and place-making activities planned for coming months  to activate the centre of Armidale, including street art murals, creative workshops and live performances as part of the Armidale Renewal Festival.

For more information go to renewarmidale.org