City Street Eats to enliven CBD next Saturday
Date published: 30 April 2021
Flinders Street, Flinders Lane and City Lane and City Arcade will be taken over by a mini festival next Saturday (May 8), with the best in Townsville’s food, drinks and live entertainment activating the city centre.
The event, which has been dubbed City Street Eats, is being jointly presented by Townsville City Council, City Lane and City Arcade, Flinders Lane and Tiny Mountain Brewery.
Deputy Mayor Mark Molachino said Council was determined to activate the Townsville CBD and support businesses operating in the area through partnerships on exciting new events.
“In recent years, Council has seen just how popular foodie events are when we ran a series of Townsville Eats festivals. Our Townsville Eats events were attended by thousands of revellers,” Cr Molachino said.
“Now, we are partnering with businesses who are the local leaders in this space to activate the city on game day through City Street Eats.
“This will be a great way for locals to get together before walking across to our city’s world-class stadium for the Queensland Derby on Saturday, or to just spend a night in the CBD enjoying some delicious local food and drinks and enjoying the free entertainment.
“City Street Eats is just one way that Council is helping to bring the city centre to life, increase foot traffic through the CBD, and support local businesses.”
Council Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said this was a great way for locals to rediscover the city centre.
“This is an afternoon of live entertainment, food and drinks before kick-off at the Cowboys v Broncos game, so it’s the perfect event to head to with the family or with friends,” Cr Greaney said.
“COVID has had a huge impact on events across the country, and Townsville has been no exception.
That is why it’s great to be able to host pop-up events like City Street Eats to help bolster local businesses and put on a great experience for the community.
“I’m excited to see the city come to life with City Street Eats and to see local businesses reap the benefits of having a surge of visitors to the city centre.”
Flinders Lane owner Martin Locke said he was proud to have his venue play an important part in this new event.
“I appreciate there are many people curious to know who is coming in to my retail side of Flinders Lane and when,” Mr Locke said.
“Announcements will start to flow in the next few weeks, but today’s announcement of Tiny Mountain Brewery coming in to activate not just the Broncos v Cowboys game, but every home game and event at Stadium for the remainder of 2021, is worthy news of its own,” Mr Locke said.
“City Street Eats is the perfect example of how collaboration should happen. Private and public sectors coming together, for what I believe could be Townsville’s version of Brisbane’s popular Caxton Street whenever there is an event on at our stadium.
“Our City needs a heart. The plan has always been for City Lane and City Arcade and Flinders Lane to work together to create a unique ‘City Experience’.
“But with Council and businesses like Tiny Mountain Brewery also believing our CBD should have a carnival atmosphere whenever a stadium event happens, it should be an awesome afternoon and evening.”
City Lane and City Arcade Senior Centre Manager Debbie Gelling said she was excited to see this event brought to the CBD, and to partner with fellow Flinders Street businesses and Townsville City Council.
“The City Street Eats pop-up event will extend the food and entertainment offer we have in City Lane and City Arcade and provide a pedestrian connection through to the stadium for those people heading into the city for the Cowboys vs Broncos game,” Ms Gelling said
“City Lane will feature live music from local artists both before and after the game, great atmosphere and a fantastic array of food and drinks from our cafes and restaurants.
“We encourage people heading to the game and those looking for an evening out for the family to come into the CBD and support the local businesses involved in the event”.
City Street Eats will run from 3pm at Flinders Street, Flinders Lane and City Lane and City Arcade. Entry is free.
