Wagga's central business district could be bustling just in time for Christmas as a proposal looks to revamp late-night shopping.
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The city's councillors will decide at Monday night's meeting to trial Friday night shopping leading up to Christmas.
The proposal looks to give Fitzmaurice and Baylis street businesses greater freedom on using footpaths for dining, seating, goods displays and decorations in the hopes of creating a festive atmosphere.
Wagga City Council's economic development officer said, in a report, businesses along the main street proposed a trial to shift late-night shopping from Thursdays to Fridays for three weeks starting December 4.
He said the initiative is not just for the best benefit of retailers, but eateries and other businesses, which are likely to see an increase in activity as well.
"Ideally workers would remain in the CBD to shop and eat following their workday, or those going out for entertainment would include a brief shopping trip to their agenda," he said.
"Thursday nights are historically when retailers in NSW stay open late to provide families an opportunity to shop after work. However, especially over the last decade, Thursday nights have seen a decline in activity."
Wagga Business Chamber president Rhyley Hunter said late-night shopping needs to be reinvigorated again because it is no longer giving businesses the boost in trade that it used to do.
"It is worthwhile trialing these initiatives to see if it will have a positive impact," he said. "We think that on Friday night, people might be more willing to get out and about, have dinner with the family and go for a wander in the shops afterwards.
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"Hopefully, it can bring an increase to trade especially leading up to Christmas."
RB Sellars manager Liz Cronin said her only concern about a change to late-night shopping will be spreading the word quick enough before the trial is expected to start in two weeks time.
"People know Thursday night is late-night trade - it has been forever and a day," she said.
However, Ms Cronin said there could be great benefit by allowing restaurants in the main street flexibility when it comes to outdoor seating and use of the footpath.
"With COVID-19 and social distancing, these businesses are limited to the amount of people in their premises," she said.
"So if there are permits to allow businesses to have more customers out on the street that in turn will allow a lot more energy and a lot more people around the shops."