The audit revealed Banna Avenue is experiencing resurgence in business activity, as well as a number of new businesses setting up in the main street of Griffith.

The Area News hit the streets and asked shoppers what they thought of Banna Avenue.

Store manager Gaye Hazlett for Under the Arches is pleased with the news.

“The store has been here five and a half years all up, and I think the business is about the same,” Ms Hazlett said.

“However I think new businesses will help things move along, it brings a lot of interest, and everyone is so worried about competition, but in the long run if it brings more people to the street it’s a good thing for everybody.”

Yambil Street also experienced positive growth in the last twelve months, with 21 new businesses being established from the time of the last audit.

Mayor John Dal Broi said, ‘the results of the Business Audit are very encouraging and shows business confidence is on the rise.”

“It is also apparent that the retail sector in Griffith is changing as more businesses look beyond traditional shop fronts. Many businesses are making optimal use of space, utilising basement and first floor levels as well as sharing office space with other businesses” he added.

Council has been monitoring and tracking the changes in the local business sector over the past six years and will continue to work with businesses and other stakeholders to develop strategies to address the challenges facing Griffith’s retail and overall business sector.

President of Griffith’s Business Chamber Paul Pierotti said it’s good news, but local shops are still experiencing “pretty tough times”, and encourages shoppers to buy local.

“From our perspective, our members have obviously seen improvements and significant lifts in shopper confidence, however members are telling us it’s pretty tough out here.”

The audit shows shopfront vacancies have decreased to 17 from the 25 vacancies recorded in 2016, and the increase has seen the number of businesses in Banna Avenue rise to 240.

An invite has been issued by Griffith Council for business owners to work with them to look at how to best adapt and optimise opportunities to ensure their businesses continue to grow and succeed.