The issue is you have to have something that will encourage locals to come into town especially over the weekend evenings. I have on many occasions walked through town on a Friday and Saturday evening and I kid you not except for maybe one or two other people I am the only person there.

Why not try weekend free evening festivals/markets in the main street, or say a courtesy bus operating (even with a gold coin donation) on the weekends to get people into town to enjoy the cafes/restaurants.

Another idea is to have food fairs by getting the cafes and restaurants to offer specials tastings etc. Oaklands has an onsite brewery, why not get them involved at the same time?

Let's liven the place up.

They should rebuild the bakery in Market St, the one that burnt down. And l think the rent of all the shops should be lowered. Have something we haven't got in town to bring people in.

Merimbula is missing the opportunity to be a seaside village by having a group of shops closing off the view to the water. A balcony on the Lakeside Hotel over the footpath would enhance the experience.

Once the shops are gone, a marina could be developed.

Time to look at short term parking, say 30 minutes in Market Street again, to allow older people to park to and access banks chemists optometrists etc.

Now that this thoroughfare is quieter due to both bypasses and no bus stop anymore surely it is basic common sense to allow parking there.

I grew up in Merimbula for 30 years 25 years ago. It was vibrant with live music venues, outdoor entertainment and a large variety of shops.

It has never been great for teenagers due to lack of jobs and not a lot of daytime activities. The community atmosphere needs to be revitalised.

Low rents for 12 months to get small businesses established initially would help owners decide if their business can be viable. We need niche shops not chain stores.

A survey from the community would be helpful, but I think closing off the main street would be a fantastic idea.

The old Woolworths building should be made into a two-storey parking lot and would help the shops be more accessible.

Tourists need to feel they are getting value for their money and everyone needs to pull together, not in 10 different directions.

I am now a regular visitor to Merimbula as I have family that moved there two years ago. My issues with the main shopping district are as follows.

I find parking an issue. I have a medical condition that makes walking an issue. Many shops are not designed for disabilities at the entrance. High steps are are an issue. If hand rails were available it would be a temporary solution. Extra seating in main street would help.

As a visitor in winter and summer the fast food and coffee shops can be a challenge in finding one open for a late lunch, and takeaway fish and chips after 7pm.

I enjoy the friendliness of shop owners. I support all business as much as i can when visiting. Such a visual delight is the Seahorse in the main street. Perhaps get some more types of sculptures in main area. Great photo opportunities.

Merimbula is such a pretty place and it saddens me that it is struggling. Hope you can find solutions and stop the decline of your CBD.

Surely it must have occurred to Merimbula Chamber of Commerce that the small local businesses in the town centre would be affected by the number of Woolworths stores opening around them. The council has allowed large Woolworths supermarkets in Bega, Tura Beach and Merimbula. And with its future in doubt there is of course a BigW in Bega as well.

The question to ask is why the council has allowed so many to be built in such a small area. When Merimbula has one, why does Tura Beach need one just a few minutes apart - and vice versa. Who will walk the street - perhaps in the rain - when it's a one stop in the car.

The same effect in Merimbula has been seen especially in the UK and parts of Europe with boarded up empty shops in once thriving main streets and small towns, when there is one or two large supermarket/variety stores opening in the area.

Why did the council not take account of the problems being caused elsewhere, and widely reported, when they allowed so many Woolworths to open?

Let's not forget the Coles in Bega and Eden.

There seems to be a rather large elephant in the room, and everyone is doing their best to ignore it!

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