Long weekend a chance for Hunter business to get back on their feet

BY JORDAN REGNIS

There's hope, the long weekend was a chance for a number of local businesses across the Hunter to gain an economic foothold, after significant staff shortages and supply chain issues.

Restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels recorded large crowds of people over the three-day period, despite the cooler weather.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel recorded over 900 guests each night across the three days, while the hospitality sector got off to a good start with the first State of Origin match on Tuesday.

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes says there were a large number of tourists from both within and across the state.

"I think that comes back to the capacity of the flights at the airport, which are nearly back to what they were before COVID," Mr Hawes said. 

"We just hope that customers and the community remain patient while they go through this period of adjustment."

Council seeking feedback on Darby Street outdoor dining trial

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle Council is seeking community feedback on a proposal for a six-month trial to widen the Darby Street footpath for outdoor dining.

The plan would see a raised timber deck platform expanded across parking spaces along a stretch of popular cafes from Sanctum to Goldbergs.

16 parking spaces will be relocated to the Newcastle Art Gallery, and the speed limit will be dropped from 40 to 30kmh to accommodate the move.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen says it's a great move, as the city recovers from the COVID pandemic.

"Lots of Novocastrians are starting to return, and hospitality is booming in the city once again," Cr Clausen said.

"It's great, particularly given that it was an industry that was so hard hit during the pandemic and literally tens of thousands of Novocastrians were working in the entertainment and hospitality industry."

The trial is part of a Streets as Shared Spaces program, with $500,000 in funding from the State Government.

You can have your say on the project here.

Feedback closes on June 13. 

Image credit: www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au

Darby Street Cooks Hill To Trial 30km/hr Zone

 BY IAN CROUCH

One of Newcastle's popular restaurant and cafe strips is about to undergo a trial of a 30km/hr zone.

Council has been awarded a $500,000 grant for the trail and streetscape activations on Darby Street - it's not clear yet when the trial will begin..

The grant comes from the latest round of the $20 million Streets and Shared Spaces program.

Maitland Council has also received $500,000 for its Maitlanes project to unlock public space in 7 CBD laneways, and Port Stephens has received almost the same amount for its William Street Urban Park project.

Darby Street to trial 30km/hr speed zone

Man Arrested Over Cooks Hill Carjacking

BY IAN CROUCH

A couple have been the victims of a terrifying carjacking at Cooks Hill.

They were travelling down Darby Street in their Mercedes at about 7.00pm on Monday night when an object was thrown at the car.

The male driver pulled over and chased the alleged culprit, a 32-year-old man, who police say dropped handbags he'd earlier stolen during a break-in.

The victim stopped to pick up the property before returning to his car to find the offender had dragged his partner from the drivers seat and driven off.

He was later identified by police and arrested in the vicinity of Darby Street and is due to face court today.

The car was a recovered in nearby Bruce Street.

Darby Street Micro Music Festival

BY ARIANA GATTI

The much anticipated Micro Music Festival along the cosmopolitan strip of Darby Street officially kicked off its performances this morning.

The festival advertised to continue through to the weekend will showcase local singers and musicians in hopes of boosting Newcastle's music scene and love for the performing arts.

Performances will be staged in and along the shop fronts of Darby Street's most frequented cafe's, shops and bars, bringing a whole new flare to regular shopping and eating experiences at the premises'.

A whole range of performances, ranging from harpists, to bands and to DJ's will be hitting the streets on Saturday, the 24th of March, suitable for all ages to enjoy.

Image sourced: https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g2717917-d6826008-Reviews-Darby_Street_Precinct-Greater_Newcastle_New_South_Wales.html