Hamilton enjoying post-COVID popularity

More than 30 businesses have moved into Hamilton during the past 12 months as a renewed confidence takes hold in the inner-city suburb.

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Confirming the boom in the suburb’s appeal, more than $11.8 million was spent across Hamilton’s five largest industries in December 2020, compared to just $7.5 million for the same month a year earlier.

Reflecting strong demand to buy into Hamilton, the median property price has increased by 47% during the past 7 years, lifting to $715,000 in December 2020 from $487,500 in December 2013.

With a local centre upgrade in Hamilton’s James Street Plaza now underway, and a new round of Special Business Rate (SBR) funding for eligible local businesses, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said there was a positive and confident vibe in the area.

“While the past 12 months have been really challenging for our community and businesses, it’s fantastic to see local businesses and residents working with City of Newcastle to achieve remarkable outcomes for the Hamilton community,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The formation of the Hamilton BIA in December 2019 has been a game changer, showing what a group of passionate local businesspeople can achieve with a renewed sense of purpose to attract people to the Beaumont Street precinct and surrounds and the means to do it with financial support from their Council.

“Deserving winners of our Community Group of the Year for 2021, the Hamilton BIA are a potent conduit between businesses and City of Newcastle, creating positive outcomes such as the LiveSpots initiative, which is activating community space while helping local musicians recover from the pandemic’s economic impact.”

Cr Nelmes said extensive community engagement has been carried out by City of Newcastle in Hamilton as part of the development of the Gregson Park Masterplan and James Street Plaza upgrade, which will allow the City to rejuvenate these areas in a way that meets the needs of the community and benefits all stakeholders.

A list of business movement into the precinct by Hamilton BIA Chair Janice Musumeci and Newcastle Councillor Carol Duncan shows there have been at least 33 new businesses trading in Hamilton during the past year. Only five businesses have ceased operating during the same period, with indications that at least two of these tenancies have new businesses coming soon.

Economic activity data highlights Hamilton’s resilience and recovery from COVID-19. Monthly expenditure during April 2020 in Hamilton’s main industries (dining and entertainment, professional services, transport and travel) fell to one third of expenditure levels during February 2020 ($2.7 million compared to $7.9 million). However, spending in those categories has rebounded to levels higher than the previous year: in December 2020, $11.8 million of expenditure activity was recorded in the suburb’s five largest industries, compared to $7.5 million in December 2019.

The economic data using aggregated card transaction data from a major Australian bank, covers the suburbs of Hamilton, Hamilton East, Hamilton South and Hamilton North. Beaumont St represents about 95 per cent of all expenditure activity in the area.

Cr Duncan said a consequence of COVID-19 was that people were spending more time in their own neighbourhoods rather than in holiday locations, which had positively redirected expenditure to local suburbs. In Hamilton, this was providing the support new businesses needed to become established.

“I think what has been important is the advocacy the BIA has done in engaging with business owner/operators and with people thinking about opening a business in Hamilton,” Cr Duncan said.

“Their immense positivity for the precinct - and community - is returning dividends, while their readiness to involve community members in activities and ideas has led to creative proposals being brought to Council for consideration and improvements implemented.

“This has included the Traffic Committee endorsing a community proposal to change accessible parking in Hamilton, including a new space dedicated to transport minivans. This means that seniors and others who require transport assistance can visit Hamilton, bringing more people into the precinct to enjoy all that it has to offer.”

Hamilton BIA Chair Janice Musumeci said having more than 30 new businesses open in Hamilton during the past 12 months was amazing considering COVID-19 had created one of the toughest years a business will ever experience.

“We want long and successful tenancies in Hamilton. Our Board actively connects with local real estate agents with commercial properties for lease. This way, we can efficiently promote spaces to businesses interested in moving into our precinct,” Ms Musumeci said.

“Recent examples are The Newcastle Men’s Shed move into 99 Beaumont St activating a space previously vacant for four years and Cakeboi, who have brought a new lease of life to 48 Lindsay St, which had been vacant for two years.

“We reach out, connect and promote Hamilton to new and prospective businesses.

“We feel it is important to ensure new business are aware of the Hamilton advantage, welcome them into our ‘village’ so they feel supported including free business services such as the 60 hours of free advice to business owners from The Small Business Centre in partnership with the BIA.”

City of Newcastle has recently opened an expression of interest for the latest round of its Special Business Rate contestable funding in Hamilton, with businesses and not-for-profit organisations invited to apply for a share of approximately $50,000.

Cr Duncan said the funding program was an important way to involve local businesses and community in the development, beautification and promotion of Hamilton through creative and innovative projects showcasing the unique character of the area.

Ms Musumeci said the SBR funding was helping to breathe new life into the suburb.

"City of Newcastle provided incredible support to help us form a BIA. Without a Board of volunteers and community involvement, the SBR funding would not be invested in our precinct to assist beautification and economic development,” Ms Musumeci said.

“I believe the initiatives created with the SBR funding have breathed new life and hope into our precinct helping to highlight Hamilton as a destination for visitors and new businesses.”

A public information session was held in Hamilton on 21 April, with applications closed on 7 May. Additional SBR funding rounds are also currently open for Wallsend and New Lambton.

Businesses that have opened in Hamilton over the past 12 months:

• In Forno

• Cake Boi

• S Garden Dessert House

• Indian Superstore

• EzyMart

• Muse Pilates Studio

• Common Circus

• BP Hamilton

• Corset

• Sham’s Kebab House

• Biggs Coffee Shop

• The Blonde Boy

• Jasmine Mart

• Koutchi Moroccan Handcrafts

• Goldies Dress Hire

• Fever Dream

• Aladdin Charcoal Chicken

• Broaster Chicken

• Newcastle Men’s Shed

• Flirt

• Anderson Workforce

• Sapori at Tailors

• IV Lounge

• ACS Local

• The Rosewood Centre

• Sportspower

• Loan Market

• Café crn Tudor and William St

• Bangkok Nights

• Rice’s Bookshop

• Fynde

• Skintifix