Shop to close in ‘quiet’ city

JUST days before a new project aimed at revitalising the city gets under way, a Shields St retailer has revealed she will shut up shop after 20 years.

Shanti Shanti owner Sailay Hamid said the past six months had been “too quiet” and she was forced to make the decision not to renew the lease on her shop a month ago.

She has started selling off her goods at discount prices and will close by October 31.

“I’ve been here for the past 20 years doing business and we’ve tried really hard but nothing has worked,” Ms Hamid explained.

“It’s not that easy. The landlord is not very happy either.”

Ms Hamid tried to sell the shop in February this year.

She has discounted clothes, jewellery and other items at 50 per cent.

A few doors down, Galaxy Gelato owner Sam Al-Shaban, who has children’s ice-creams for just $2.50, said he was hurting too.

The sad news comes as Cairns Regional Council’s trial aimed at bringing street traffic back into the CBD starts on Sunday with markets, circus acts and musicians setting up on Shields St.

Sunday on Shields was voted in last month after pleas from struggling business owners like Ms Hamid and Mr AlShaban.

Entertainment will run between August 4 and October 20 and will involve 11 themed family days on Sundays, three Saturday market trials and an increase in entertainment on Thursday and Friday evenings.

CQUniversity Creative Arts technician and associate lecturer Patty Preece said a university-backed event, Art Attack, would complement the Shields St activation project.

“As part of the trial project, CQUniversity Creative Arts and Cairns Voice Studio students will host two interactive workshops, which aim to encourage community members to immerse themselves in all things music and dance,” she said.

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