Open Streets events draw crowds

Penrith City Council continues to activate our city centres and accelerate social and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic through a variety of events, including May’s Open Streets program.

Funded through the NSW Government’s Festival of Place initiative, Open Streets Penrith and St Marys Lights Up encouraged residents to support local businesses, form connections, and celebrate our open spaces.

The series of free events, held across May, drew increased traffic to Penrith and St Marys city centres. Attendees were enticed by the food and beverage offerings, interactive art as well as live performances from musicians and comedians. The entertainment line-up changed each week and diners sat at a long table, enjoying food from local restaurants and drinks from an outdoor bar.

A section of Woodriff Street was closed on three Friday evenings to accommodate Open Streets Penrith and, in St Marys, Coachmans Park and the northern end of the Kokoda Place Car Park provided a re-imagined event space enlivened by new seating and plantings in a pop-up park.

The events drew around 24,000 people across seven events and the response from the community was over whelming positive. Additionally, the activations prompted several businesses to extend their opening hours or deliver special offerings to capitalise on the increased foot traffic.

Council encouraged attendees to further explore the businesses in our city centres through the distribution of a local restaurant map. Initial feedback from businesses point to a double digit increase in turnover per night of the event.

Penrith Mayor, Tricia Hichen said she was delighted to see the community come together and connect after such a challenging time.

“We are a resilient and vibrant community,” Cr Hitchen said. “Open Streets Penrith and St Marys Lights Up highlights the way Council is supporting local business and our creative sector through creating inclusive events for our community.”

Open Streets, along with other activations like Penrith Producers, Lunchtime Tunes and Open Mic Nights, forms part of Council’s broader Night Time Economy Strategy which aims to foster economic growth and make our centres safer and more vibrant after dark.