- Fridays in the City is a new initiative by the private sector and Brisbane City Council
- Initiative aims to bring workers back into the CBD on Friday
- Runs throughout the CBD every Friday, from 21 May to 25 June
Fridays in the City is a joint initiative between the private sector and Brisbane City Council, designed to bring life back into the Brisbane CBD.
The Property Council of Australia and EY released a report at the end of March with a recipe for CBD revival, part of which included “[facilitating] more street activations, late-night shopping, and night markets are some examples provided.”
That seems to be the case here, the initiative aiming to drive people back to the office and its surrounds.
What happened to Friday?
Friday’s as many of us will recall from what seems another epoch, was the usual time where people kicked back early, had drinks and headed out for dinner in the CBD after work.
That changed markedly.
“… since the pandemic Fridays haven’t been the same. According to the Property Council’s office occupancy data, people tend to opt to work from home on Mondays and Fridays,”
Jen Williams, Property Council’s Queensland Deputy Executive Director
As a result, Ms Williams said Friday’s in the CBD became “noticeably quieter than during the middle of the week.”
CBD retailers are suffering, Ms Williams said, “our city’s office occupancy rate has stagnated at circa 60 per cent,”.
Rekindling Friday fun
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said, “Friday is the best day of the working week and Fridays in the City celebrates all the great reasons to work in the Brisbane CBD while adding extra incentives to lure city-based workers back to the office,”.
The initiative sees numerous activities, events and incentives on offer throughout the CBD every Friday, from 21 May to 25 June.
Scanning through Visit Brisbane, the host website for Fridays in the City, attractive deals include 25% off at some car parks, free coffee, free fitness classes, and a host of other discounted dining options.
The Property Council previously announced a similar initiative in Melbourne, known as Fab Friday.
