This month, we were delighted to celebrate the announcement of the Launceston Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards finalists, recognising the incredible innovation, resilience and achievements of our local business community. On behalf of Launceston Central, I extend my sincere congratulations to all finalists and wish everyone the very best ahead of the Gala Awards this Saturday night.
We are also incredibly proud and honoured to have Launceston Central recognised among this year's finalists with a nomination for Excellence in Marketing. This acknowledgement reflects the strength of collaboration across our CBD and the collective efforts of our businesses, stakeholders and partners who continue to embrace initiatives that drive visitation, increase spending and showcase everything that makes Launceston such a vibrant destination. We thank the City of Launceston for their amazing support and their belief in what we do. We look forward to celebrating alongside our fellow finalists and recognising the outstanding businesses and individuals who contribute so much to our city.
Excitement is also building with national brand MECCA opening its doors this Friday, further strengthening the retail offering in the city centre and adding to the reasons for locals and visitors alike to spend time in our CBD.
July also provided Launceston Central with a valuable seat at the table at the Premier's Tasmania Economic Summit, ensuring the voice of the CBD and our business community is represented in discussions about Tasmania's economic future. Closer to home, we continue to work collaboratively with the City of Launceston on a range of upcoming events and initiatives designed to increase foot traffic, drive visitation and create activation opportunities for businesses. Be sure to keep reading our newsletters, as there are some exciting announcements and opportunities on the horizon.
It was fantastic to co-host our first Biz & Bubbles networking event with Launceston Chamber of Commerce and City of Launceston, bringing businesses together to connect, collaborate and share ideas. See image above: a big thank you to Dean Cracknell (centre) from Doing Co for joining us. We are also pleased to announce that expressions of interest are now open for our next food activation campaign, Waffle-a-licious. Following the success of Bao-a-licious 2-week campaign which saw more than 3,000 bao sold and generated over $13,000 in bao sales for participating businesses, we are excited to continue creating innovative campaigns that encourage people to explore and enjoy the city centre.
With August now upon us, we invite everyone to embrace the season and take part in our Unwind Winter Wellness Campaign, launching 12 August with free Zumba at Albert Hall. Featuring 47 events across the city, ranging from free community experiences to premium ticketed events, Unwind offers something for everyone and provides another important opportunity to bring people into the CBD while supporting local businesses.
Thank you to our businesses, partners, property owners, event organisers and community members who continue to contribute to a thriving city centre. Together, we are creating a more vibrant, connected and resilient Launceston, and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve in the months ahead.
Warm regards,
Gab Dicarlantonio
Chief Executive Officer
gab@launcestoncentral.com.au
Not a part of Unwind? Join the conversation instead
Reach a new audience of attendees joining our wellness festival 13–23 August
Launceston Central's first ever ten-day winter wellness festival is coming this August. Unwind puts the spotlight on our local wellness sector, and the program is set: but for retail and hospitality businesses, there is ample opportunity to join the conversation and reach new customers.
PROMOTE YOUR PRODUCT TO THE UNWIND AUDIENCE
Do you offer a product that would appeal to Unwind attendees? The target audience for Unwind includes locals who actively prioritise wellbeing, creativity and mindful living; Tasmanians who want to make winter feel more social, active and meaningful; and intrastate visitors drawn to Launceston for its pace, nature, food and sense of escape.
Does that description overlap with your customer base? Take the opportunity to be in conversation with the following:
Include Unwind in your 'what's on' social posts and EDM
Create social media content that promotes products that attendees may be interested in purchasing in between events, such as athleisure clothing, and healthy local food
Promote your own events that align with Unwind
Share the program with customers (email us at info@launcestoncentral.com.au and we will be happy to drop off print programs while supplies last)
Create a special offer for attendees and we will add it to our website
Follow and tag @Unwind_launceston on Instagram if you share about Unwind
Lastly, this is a great opportunity to share with the community your support for the 50+ local businesses that are featured in Unwind, and to share in the excitement for this debut event. Explore the full festival program at the link below.
Join our next foodie competition, launching in September
This September, Launceston Central will launch our next foodie competition: Waffle-licious! We are putting the spotlight on this staple of brekkie and brunch, from classic maple syrup and cream, sweet berry compote waffles, to savoury chicken and waffles: let the battle of the batter begin!
HOW IT WORKS
Does your business have a waffle on the menu? Sweet, savoury, or a little bit of both: as long as it is made in-house and not supplied by a third party vendor, it is eligible for entry into the competition. The competition lasts two weeks, and the winner will be determined by public vote.
...AND IF YOU WIN?
Enjoy the accolades and promote your status as best waffle in town with an official 'WINNER' window decal and digital badge from Launceston Central to prove it! But even if you don't come out on top, being a part of the action will put a spotlight on your business during, and long after, the competition ends.
EOI will close on Monday 31 August, or when all spots fill (whichever comes first). Ready to join? Click the link below to submit your expression of interest.
Meet Laura Keith, City of Launceston's Gastronomy Designation Officer
Welcome a champion of our culinary culture
Launceston Central has the pleasure of introducing to our community members Laura Keith, the City of Launceston's newly appionted Gastronomy Designation Officer. Below is a short intro directly from Laura, about herself and this role within Council.
From Laura Keith: "I'm the City of Launceston’s Gastronomy Designation Officer, a role focused on helping the City leverage Launceston’s UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation to deliver tangible outcomes across visitor experience, local business support, community wellbeing and sustainable food systems.
Over the past few months I’ve been focused on building strategic relationships, developing the foundations of a municipal gastronomy framework, and progressing projects that strengthen understanding of what it means to be a City of Gastronomy in practice. Current areas of work include destination storytelling, hospitality engagement, food systems mapping, community food initiatives, and supporting events through a gastronomy lens.
A big part of the role is connecting the designation to real, place-based outcomes by supporting local producers and hospitality businesses, celebrating Launceston’s food culture, and helping more people understand the stories, people and landscapes behind the food we grow, make and share here."
Have an idea, story or food initiative you'd love to see grow? Laura would love to hear from you. Get in touch at gastronomy@launceston.tas.gov.au.
Forecasting for busy times can be tricky, but we are here to help. Mark your calendar for these events which may bring extra visitors into our city:
Loneliness Awareness Week (3–7 Aug)
MECCA Launceston opening - Brisbane Street Mall - (7 Aug)
Unwind Winter Wellness Festival - various venues (13–23 Aug)
AFLW North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs - UTAS Stadium (29 Aug, 12.35 bounce)
Women's 5km Walk/Run - ROAD CLOSURES - City Park (13 Sep)
Junction Arts Festival - Princes Square (17–20 Sep)
Applications now open for $20,000 Amex Shop Small Grants program
Eligible for-profit independently owned and opperated businesses can now apply
In partnership with Mainstreet Australia, for the past 14 years Shop Small has celebrated the people behind small business and this year, American Express is helping small businesses grow, innovate and support their local communities through a new Amex Shop Small Grants program, providing up to AUD $2 million in grants.
Applications are now open - eligible small business owners can apply for a chance to receive a $20,000 grant, with up to 100 grants available across Australia. They are
looking for projects that:
Support business growth and innovation while supporting local communities
Improve customer experience and accessibility
Strengthen long-term business sustainability and resilience
Enhance local community participation and connection
Contribute to vibrant and economically active local centres
Deliver measurable outcomes and lasting impact beyond the grant period
Applications close 11:59pm (AEST), 6 September 2026. Learn more and apply at the link below.
