By Tyler Wright
Traders in Upwey are looking to get involved in more late night trading in 2023 after the success of the Light Up Upwey Christmas celebrations on 14 December.
Carollers hit the street for the night, with stores decorating their shop fronts with festive decorations and visitors able to get a taste of the area’s shopping flare during the celebrations from 5pm to 8pm.
Upwey Myotherapy owner Mat Richardson said the vast majority of shops were “flat out;” including those selling giftwares alongside food outlets.
“A few reports I’ve heard from patients that only come to see me, was they wouldn’t have actually come to any of these shops in Upwey, but because the festival brought them in, they’ve now gone to the Indian Indian place for dinner, they’ve now gone to a gift shop in town; where in the past they were just wouldn’t have done that,” Mr Richardson said.
“It’s already started bringing people into the town.”
The Upwey Community Group, the Bendigo Bank and local traders helped create Light Up Upwey this year with help from community members who donated.
“We created a lot more connections between local shop owners, and I think people really liked that; when they come into a street, and they can see that everyone’s been getting on well and they’re looking at actually promoting the community rather than just about making money…It’s more about how can we give back to the community,” Mr Richardson said.
He said local businesses are looking to form an official trader’s group, which can receive funding and make events in the area bigger.
“During Covid it all shut down, and we didn’t see a lot of late night things happening, and it’s taken a little bit to coax people back out and about again,” he said.
“Part of it is that a lot of people love the community feel to it, so if we can help promote that more and more, we’ll hopefully draw a lot of people from around the hills, but also off the hills too.
“I think we’re doing events for Easter and Halloween and a few other things throughout the year.”
The Light Up Upwey festivities rounded off with an award ceremony to nominate the winners of the window displays.
On Sunday 18 December during the very lively twilight ‘Seed Of Life’ market, awards went to Flowers by Ward and Wylie with third place, Cafe Have Ya Bean Cafe for second place and Enchanted PINES for first place.
The much applauded community favourite went to Silhouette Grooming and Pet Supplies.
