Sutton Street Traders Band Together

An idea is brewing in Redcliffe to bring together Sutton Street traders in order to create a village atmosphere and promote trade.

Peter Morley, President of CCIQ Redcliffe City, is championing the vision and offering free marketing plans to traders. The idea is that Sutton Street and Jetty/Cominos Arcade store owners would band together (in co-operation with the Seaside Arts Hub) and create a stimulating visual, arts and entertainment culture on Sutton Street. After some discussions, Peter feels Sutton Street and Arcade traders would be best as a sub-committee of the CCIQ (Chamber of Commerce Industry Queensland) Redcliffe.

Margaret, the manager of Crisp Clothing in Jetty Arcade, said she’d like to see a return of the market atmosphere of the Thursday markets in Sutton Street of 10 years ago. Mr Morley and the core shop owners believe that during September’s Redcliffe Festival stores can take advantage of the closed streets to put items for sale out on the footpath.

While some wait for Council to revitalise the streetscape, Mr Morley believes that it is better if the traders paint up their own shops in bright colours, put on their own after-work gigs, do marketing campaigns, and even “disrupt the establishment” by having artists create pictures outside of the Public Trustee’s offices.

A potential Sutton Street business owner said, “This street could be a really trendy area, with a weekend village feel, like Brunswick Street in Melbourne”. She has a distinct vision for what people like in the way of vintage and collectibles.

Re-opening of the Bee Gees way on September 11 will also bring more visitors through to Sutton Street. Margaret had the idea of putting in bronze discs with Bee Gees hits on it up the street, so people could continue their walk right around. It would certainly make better viewing than what the birds leave behind.