Wow where did January go, hope it was an amazing month for you. Here in the office we have been super busy here supporting events, catching up with stakeholders and creating a plan in which we wanted to share with you.
Launceston Central is excited to share a preview of the initiatives we have planned for the year ahead as we continue our mission to activate the CBD, boost visitation, strengthen the night-time economy, and enhance economic outcomes for local businesses.
Throughout the year, we will continue to act as a key conduit between stakeholders — including the City of Launceston, CBD businesses, event organisers, Business Tasmania, Visit Northern Tasmania, Hospitality Tasmania, and the Launceston Chamber of Commerce — to ensure strong collaboration, as well as support for major events and city-shaping initiatives. We will host several business networking evenings to help strengthen connections across our business community.
Our marketing program for 2026 will feature a mix of long-loved and brand-new campaigns, including:
Launnie Long-standers Celebrating the people and businesses who’ve become long-standing pillars of our CBD
More 'a-licious' competitions Biannual competitions between hospitality businesses (continue reading to join Bao-a-licious)
Unwind A new winter wellness campaign encouraging locals and visitors to relax, recharge, and enjoy the CBD during the cooler months
NORTH Festival Returning in spring, showcasing the best produce and hospitality of our region in a week-long festival across the city
Christmas After the success of the Light Up Launnie festive window competition, it’ll be making a comeback in 2026. Additionally, this year we’ll be developing shopping guides, spotlighting extended trading, and emphasising shop local messaging. Want to help shape our Christmas 2026 campaign?Share your thoughts by filling out our Christmas 2025 Survey
Love Launnie Returns
For retail, we’ve listened to feedback and adjusted accordingly. Our focus this year will move away from campaigns that focus on sales and price reduction. Instead, we’re channelling our efforts into building local pride in our CBD and pushing support local, shop local messaging. We’ll be doing this through the reinstatement of the 'Love Launnie' campaign — an incentivised celebration of shopping local, supporting our businesses, showcasing new businesses and falling in love with our beautiful city all over again.
Capitalising on Major Events
Working with our stakeholders, destination marketing will continue to be a focus as we draw intra and interstate visitors to the city through 'Come. Play. Stay'. This campaign will highlight the endless list of reasons to visit our CBD and encourage more overnight stays in the city. We’ll also continue promoting CBD walking tours for both locals and visitors to help people rediscover the heart of our city.
It’s shaping up to be a huge year, with AFL games returning and celebrations marking 25 years of the Hawks in Launnie.
We look forward to working closely with you throughout this exciting year and delivering initiatives that bring energy, vibrancy, opportunity, and growth to the Launceston CBD.
Gab Dicarlantonio
Chief Executive Officer
gab@launcestoncentral.com.au
Sign up now for Bao-a-licious launching this March
Enter your business for our next foodie competition
This March, Launceston Central will launch our next foodie competition: Bao-a-licious! We are putting the spotlight on Launceston's Asian eateries, focusing on baos: stuffed and steamed savoury buns, a staple of Chinese cuisines. Here's how it works:
ENTER YOUR BAO
Does your business have a bao on the menu? Whether it's a stuffed bun or folded and filled, as long as your bao is made in-house and not supplied by a third party vendor, it is eligible for entry into the competition.
BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION
Every participating business will receive:
Hungry customers ready to buy and try your bao
Your business featured on our website
A window decal advertising your participation
Flyers to promote the competition
Mentions on our social media and press releases
Potential media coverage
Increased traffic and brand awareness for your business
...AND IF YOU WIN?
You get to claim the best bao 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.
Expressions of interest will close on Sunday 22 February. Ready to join the bao showdown? Click the link below to email us and confirm your spot (space is limited).
Let us spotlight your business in Launnie Long-standers
Join our series celebrating local businesses that have operated in Launceston for +10 years
Launnie Long-standers is a storytelling series from Launceston Central that shines a light on the people and businesses who’ve stood the test of time in the heart of Launceston. Through heartfelt interviews and nostalgic throwbacks, we celebrate the locals who’ve helped shape the city’s character, culture, and community—one story at a time.
Has your business operated in the CBD for 10+ years? If the answer is yes, you could be featured in our next round of Launnie Long-standers. Please answer the questions at the link below to submit your expression of interest.
The Gilmore Cycling Classic (originally scheduled for Boxing Day, now taking place this month) will see road closures surrounding City Park on Sunday 22 February, starting at 10am. The closed circuit course will impact the following streets:
Tamar Street, Cimitiere Street, Racecourse Crescent, Lyttleton Street, Elphin Road, Brisbane Street, Lawrence Street, Cameron Street, Willis Street, Cimitiere Street Lane, Innes Street, High Street, and Weymouth Street.
Additional details, including a map, can be found at the link below:
Digital strategy essentials: finding new customers online
Monday 23 February 5.45-7.30pm | The Tramsheds Function Centre (4 Invermay Rd)
As a small business owner have you ever felt the pressure to 'do more online' but aren’t sure where to start? Join this upcoming event in Launceston.
Business Tasmania in partnership with Launceston Central, City of Launceston, the Launceston Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Digital Solutions invite you to the Digital strategy essentials: finding new customers online workshop, the first event in Business Tasmania’s digital support program being delivered in 2026.
To help cut through the noise online, this will be a practical workshop designed to give you clarity, confidence and a clear sense of priority in the digital space. Rather than encouraging you to be everywhere at once, this session will show you how a simple digital strategy can work for you, and how to action things that will have the greatest impact for your business right now.
The workshop is presented by Digital Solutions mentor Kelsey Denouden, Founder and Head Strategist at Have and Hold Marketing. As part of Business Tasmania’s digital support program, the updated Business Tasmania website will be launched by the Deputy Premier and Minister for Small Business, Trade and Consumer Affairs, Guy Barnett, at this workshop. To secure your spot, please click the link below.
