Gerald Lynch
Footscray’s Barkly Street is seemingly in danger of becoming a ghost town, with a strip of shops remaining unleased and empty.
A local real estate agent, who is handling multiple for lease properties on Barkly Street, told Star Weekly that too many people are moving away from physical retail, making the premises very difficult to sell and lease.
“It is cheaper for a business owner to move to a warehouse, there’s less staff, lower rent,“ said the agent who asked not to be named.
“Most of the vacant properties have been that way for over 18 months, landlords have reduced rent askings but the properties still won’t go.“
Aaron Donato, who owns Bar Joesphine and Pie Thief, said that while there are some vacant shops, the street is far from dead.
“It is frustrating to have empty shops all around us, there’s no denying that. But honestly it was kinda like that when we first took the lease on the Josephine building in 2016,“ he said.
“Jim Wong and Teds Cycles are just two businesses (both closed in 2019), but because of their footprint, their closures made an obvious visual impact on the street. However, two closed businesses don’t make a ghost town.“
There’s 12 properties near each other that remain vacant in Barkly Street, but Mr Donato said he believes this to be due to the nature of the businesses previously occupying the spaces.
“Vacancies seem to be concentrated on that western end of Barkly, between French and Geelong,“ he said.
“I think this has to do with the type of businesses these shops used to be. Where you have hospitality ready buildings all along Hopkins-Barkly from Moore to French, it continues to be a vibrant hub of restaurants and bars. But between French and Geelong you have more predominantly retail and office spaces.“
Maribyrnong mayor Cuc Lam said the council recognises the challenges faced by Barkly Street and is focusing on the positives.
“Council has been working with local trader groups, landlords and their respective real estate agents to activate vacant shop fronts along Barkly Street in Footscray,“ she said.
“Council acknowledges there will likely always be some vacancies in the retail precincts. And while it can encourage landlords to activate vacant shop fronts and take on new tenants, Council is not in a position to enforce this.
“The economic activity within the suburb of Footscray has in fact increased significantly compared to pre-COVID spending. According to Spendmapp data, in December 2023, Footscray hit a new record spend for dining and entertainment. This is a positive sign and council will continue to work with the local trader groups and business operators to help ensure Footscray reaches its full potential.“
