The face looks familiar: Local businesses join forces for new ‘Love Brisbane’ campaign
A marketing campaign featuring some of Brisbane’s better-known small business operators is the latest attempt to lure people back into the Brisbane CBD following two years of pandemic restrictions and this month’s flood event.
Brisbane City Markets manager Annabel Davis will feature in the marketing campaign.
While foot traffic in the Queen St Mall has jumped by 59 per cent in recent weeks, Lord Mayor Adrain Schrinner says businesses are still struggling to lift their sales.
He said a new “Love Brisbane” campaign would seek to support city businesses, “evolving” to include those restaurants and eateries in an around Eagle St that were inundated in the flood.
Those featured in the campaign include Warwick Were, operator of Rocking Horse Records, a city fixture since 1975; Brisbane City Markets manager Annabel Davis and calligrapher and owner of the Pen Shoppe in the Brisbane Arcade, Barbara Nicol.
The campaign’s core message is that despite the ravages of the Covid pandemic and the flood, the CBD is open for business.
“Collectively, the people behind these Brisbane businesses have more than 100 years of experience and represent the more than 400 city centre businesses ready to serve, entertain and welcome people back through their doors,” Cr Schrinner said.
“We all have our favourite haunts in the city we love to visit, and there’s never been a better time to support local with the recovery underway.”
Restaurant owner Michael Tassis, whose popular riverside Opa Bar and Massimo eateries went underwater during the flood, said the support he had received from friends, staff and “complete strangers” was a reminder of why he loved living in Brisbane.
“Providing great food and service is at the heart of all our restaurants, and we can’t wait to welcome customers back to enjoy it. In the meantime, our other restaurants and many others along Eagle Street, are open and ready to serve up stunning dishes with the best views over the Brisbane River,” he said.
The campaign, backed by the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, will run until the end of April.