Try a coat of paint
TERRY Watchorn has an idea that he thinks will help revive the Leongatha shopping strip.
It’s called paint.
A retired businessman and former enthusiastic member of the Leongatha Chamber of Commerce, Mr Watchorn said if you come into a town and see it all freshly painted it creates a welcoming picture.
“You want to attract people in here. At the moment the place looks tired and in need of a makeover.”
He is critical of some shops having drab exteriors or out-of-date signs, referring in particular to fascias.
“All it takes is a tin of paint, a paint brush, ladder and elbow grease.
“I’ll offer to go up and paint it for them. I’m pretty handy! I’m sure landlords wouldn’t mind the updating.”
Mr Watchorn said banks and big companies have criteria for presentation of the buildings, as do car dealers. So, he cannot see why others can’t do the same thing.
He said he once visited a timber town on Vancouver Island where the mills had closed and it was becoming a ghost town.
“They did murals on the walls and it took off. Now, they have tourist buses coming along to see them.”
He’s not suggesting Leongatha follow suit but he does think a “lick of paint” would freshen the place up, making everything look brand new.
“I just think it’s something simple, it’s not costly but is effective. It has to help. The first thing people look at is window dressing.”
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