Parramatta. Church Street is struggle street

Trade in Church Street is continuing to trend downwards – if the number of vacant premises is an indication. Some 20 premises in Chinatown – between Argyle Street and the Great Western Highway – were empty, accounting for the majority in the shabbiest part of the CBD, despite Parramatta City Council’s efforts to improve the “look” of the area. The Chinese New Year – the Year of the Tiger – which will be celebrated in Chinatown on February 19, will liven up the precinct, if only for a day. The area may get a kick along, long-term, with a proposed residential building of some 20 storeys. The section between Macquarie Street and the Parramatta River is not so bad, with 13 premises empty or closing down; that’s excluding the 50 plus outlets in the Brand Smart centre. Cheap clothing outlets and $2 shops are still the go in what was Parramatta’s traditional retail strip. Several outlets have an upmarket look. The café and restaurant precinct seems as bustling as ever.