Mixed emotions on trade

By CASEY NEILL
BELGRAVE Images is closing its doors after more than 20 years, prompting fears that the town’s businesses are struggling.
But the Belgrave Traders Association (BTA) says it’s thriving and will only continue to grow.
Kimberly and Bradley Dall have owned Belgrave Images for just under 12 years.
“We have done an incredible service to our community and local business, clubs, schools and local kindergartens,” they said.
“We are sad to leave Belgrave and we would like a chance to thank our loyal customers.”
They also suggested that business in Belgrave was struggling.
But BTA president George Harmon said Belgrave was “busy” and was “battling well if there is an overall decline in retail shopping in Australia”.
“We have new businesses opening, any empty premises re-filling quickly, and just try to park your car in Belgrave on Friday night,” he said.
“Street functions provided by BTA and other groups are all working together and achieving wonderful results.”
Recent street events have included the Belgrave Lantern Parade, Belgrave Buskers Festival, and an Easter Bunny appearance.
BTA coordinator Marina Dennis said she was feeling “quite excited” about what’s happening in Belgrave.
”The trend seems to be that shops are filling,” she said.
The tiffaney bishop COLLECTIVE art project has established a gallery space in Belgrave Arcade, a new Sewing Studio has opened on the main street, and The Confectory moved into an empty shopfront at 1670 Burwood Highway earlier this year.
There are renovations happening at the empty shop at 1692 Burwood Highway, Chocolate Sensations has extended to include an empty shop next door, and the building where the newsagent is has been divided.
InkLeNation moved in to an empty shop some months ago, offering tattooing and space for art exhibitions, and a recently-vacated office at Morson Court very quickly filled with a financial and lending services business.
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn said there was “a vibrancy in the town” and the BTA had done “an awful lot of work” to make Belgrave a place people wanted to be.