Don’t let the occasional empty shop fool you; there’s still strong business interest in investing in Deniliquin.
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While some of the bigger commercial spaces in Deniliquin’s CBD remain in limbo - including the prime Cressy St spot recently vacated by Rivers - others have been filled over recent weeks.
This includes a mix of businesses new to the area, and others which are expanding their operations.
Over two days last week, Ray White Deniliquin announced it would be welcoming two new businesses to the town, taking up commercial spaces at 377 George St and an industrial site at 167-169 Napier St.
“I’m happy to say that both these tenants are new tenants to town, and that’s exciting,” Ray White principal Hamish Thomson said.
“This includes leases in infrastructure development, and both are major businesses.
“One is government associated and is involved in water infrastructure projects, which is SDLAM (Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism) along the Edward and Murray Rivers.
“It could see between 10 and 20 people engaged in the community and projects outside of Deniliquin. Some will reside locally, while others will use Deni as a hub.
“Another is more local infrastructure within town and the local community, with 10 to 12 employees in that organisation that have been relocated within Deniliquin.
“We have a third premises committed to, as a bonus. We just received confirmation on the site in Deni, and can provide details about at a later date.
“There are four or five new leases going on at the moment.
“The businesses haven’t committed long, long term, though we hope to see them stay. But we currently expect them to be here in the medium term - for at least three to 10 years, if not longer.”
Mr Thomson said he has also received enquiries from construction companies with work coming up in the Deniliquin area.
“Some of this is off the back of the involvement of Elecnor and Transgrid off Ochertyre St, that has seen us putting new businesses in town.
“Ray White has also been working hard with council and major businesses for some time to establish Deniliquin as a centre of development for the region.
“Reasons for the commercial activity ranges from water infrastructure programs, local infrastructure work and, more recently, wind turbine and solar, green energy builds, north of Deniliquin.
“There is also other work that is not yet in play, but there are major plans.
“Then there is the normal infrastructure projects, government projects including the Hardinge St redevelopment, as well as a mountain of other council and business projects.
“It is exciting to see companies support Deniliquin, setting up their offices and staff in town.
“It attracts businesses and people to Deni, which helps cafés, retail, sport, which then all have a major effect and provide a boost to the local economy.
“It has been a big effort in reaching out and pursuing prospective businesses.
“These things don’t just happen. It takes considerable effort by all the people involved, tenants, landlords and the agents, as well as plenty of strategic effort to get this to happen.”
On the retail front, there have been some new businesses open in the Deniliquin CBD recently. This includes a barber and a new retail shop.
As for the empty building at 273 Cressy St, where Rivers had been, building owner Lester Wheatley said work to find a suitable replacement business continues.
“We had several interested parties when they first heard Rivers was closing around April, but since then, we’ve had no suitable enquiries.
“In terms of the history, it had previously been continuously filled. It started as Fosseys, then became Target Country, which turned into Target.
“When Target closed it became Rivers, which was part of Mosaic Brands which collapsed in October.
“I’m trying to get a business of a similar vein to those previously in the space. If not, we will have to look at alternate uses for the space.”
The community has again been calling out for Best & Less, Cotton On or Kmart to come to Deniliquin, with some social media commentators suggesting their attempts to come to the town have been blocked.
Mr Wheatley confirmed none had approached him about use of his building.
He said businesses with an existing presence in Echuca are unlikely to open another store in such close proximity.
Mr Wheatley said while efforts to find a new tenant continue, he stressed the importance of shopping local to support the businesses we do have.