Vacant premises aren’t the full story
APPEARANCES aren't always as they seem when it comes to judging a community's prosperity - just ask Stanthorpe Chamber of Commerce president John Bylicki.
"The number of vacancies has pretty much stayed at 20-30% since 2012," he said.
"This is a positive story, it means that Stanthorpe is doing a lot better than many other rural communities.
"The problem is that people see a few empty shopfronts without realising the business that goes on outside of the main street."
Empty shops
February 2015 - there were eight empty shops in the main street, two in Davadi St, two in the IGA complex, two in the Stanthorpe plaza, one in Rogers St, one on Folkestone St and another five in the industrial estate
March 2014 - seven empty shops in the main street.
June 2013 - five
May 2012 - five
