West End Puts On New Face For New Year
Newcastle Herald
Thursday December 11, 1997
THEY may not be painting the town red, but Newcastle West End retailers have taken the first step to give their precinct a major facelift in 1998.
In an effort to revitalise the area, West End business owners are to be offered paints discounted at up to 55% off normal prices.
The move by Pascol Paints, with Newcastle City Council's encouragement, is helping owners redecorate facades in heritage colours to make the area more attractive to shoppers.
The first 10 subscribers to the scheme will each receive up to $1000 worth of free paint.
Newcastle council and the City West Precinct Committee are jointly promoting the paint subsidy to encourage all 200 business owners to adopt the heritage colour scheme from February.
The proposed repainting is the initial move towards Newcastle council implementing a West End strategic development plan that is to include footpath repaving, seats and greenery.
The council's West End precinct manager, Ms Jennifer Collison, said yesterday's launch of the scheme was held outside the former Bellevue Hotel, at Bank Corner, because it was such a prominent landmark.
She said it was hoped to encourage the building's latest owners, the Honeysuckle Development Corporation, to repaint the old hotel in colours more suitable to its era.
The Bellevue has striking blue and red Knights colours, which is contrary to the area's development control plan.
`This paint subsidy idea might be a small step now, but it's a sign we are all working together to visually improve the West End,' Ms Collison said. `It's an important initiative.'
She said Newcastle council decided on Tuesday night to donate up to $10,000 for the paint job. The area's retailers were donating $2000.
It was hoped to obtain $1000 from the NSW Heritage Assistance Fund to buy paint to spruce up the area.
The chairman of the City West Precinct Committee, Mr Brett Kemmis, said the West End was already looking good.
`About 100 West End businesses have repainted in the past 12 to 18 months,' he said.
`We are now after the other 100.
`This is positive stuff and the council's contribution is, I believe, an indication of its absolute commitment and sincerity to the idea of improving this part of the city.'
© 1997 Newcastle Herald
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