The Property Council is calling on the business community and government to rally around Fab Fridays – a campaign to encourage people back to Melbourne’s CBD after months of COVID restrictions.
|
Three key takeaways:
|
Danni Hunter, the Property Council’s Victorian executive director, says the Fab Fridays campaign is designed to reignite the excitement of being in the CBD on a Friday.
“Fridays are about celebrating the week and anticipating the weekend. COVID has changed so many things about our life, but the joy of catching up in person with your colleagues and friends is irreplaceable,” Hunter says.
“With only 24 per cent of workers back in Melbourne’s CBD, and hospitality businesses and retailers missing much-needed foot traffic, the Property Council has come up with the idea to get people back to the office on Fab Fridays, to play, stay and spend in the city into the evening and weekend.”
Hunter says Fab Fridays will bring together the business community and government to “incentivise Melbourne’s workers back into the city on a Friday in a safe and structured way”.
Office owners, employers, cafes and restaurants and retailers are being asked to get on board by staging early morning activities, like group yoga, providing free or discounted food and coffee options in the office, introducing a ‘4pm knockoff pledge’ or showcasing Fridays in the city on social media.
“We are calling on CBD bosses to make the 4pm knockoff pledge, encouraging workers to leave the office together and either go for a walk through the city or enjoy a cheeky after-work drink at a city pub.”
Hunter says free public transport would also encourage Melburnians into the CBD on Friday night.
“Melbourne’s CBD is the heart of our state’s economy. Without a significant increase in office occupancy, our modelling shows Victoria could lose out on more than $2.5 billion of economic activity. This activity supports tens of thousands of jobs, especially in the retail and hospitality industries,” she says.
“Melbourne’s CBD supports more than 48,000 public sector jobs,” Hunter adds. The Property Council is calling on the government to “make a concerted effort” to encourage people back to the office on Fridays, and to “come to the table” with their own incentives and initiatives.
Fab Fridays will launch officially on Friday 23 April. Interested organisations can get in touch with the Property Council’s team at [email protected].
Watch this space for campaigns in other cities.