Walk down Auburn Street and you will notice a few businesses with closing down banners hanging in their front windows, or the empty shopfronts that have already closed.
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Goulburn Mulwaree Council says reasons for the current closures may include owners’ struggles with running costs and the impact of online shopping.
But not for owner of Emllie, Nadia Kitching.
She is closing her women’s fashion shop because she says she wants to spend her time elsewhere.
“I want to have time for my family, holidays, weekends and things like that,” Ms Kitching said.
Having run the business for eight and a half years, she said she knew she would close three months ago.
Being a business owner comes with plenty of costs and Ms Kitching ranked them in order of burden.
“Stock would be the most expensive,” she said, “followed by wages, rent, insurance, power, and compliance.”
Ms Kitching had advice for up-and-coming business owners: “Do your research, make sure you have a business that is viable, and make sure you have a long-term plan.”
Recent data for the number of local shops that have closed or are set to close will be released by Goulburn Mulwaree Council soon, said general manager Warwick Bennett.
“Council will be conducting a CBD occupancy audit during October,” Mr Bennett said. “We undertook community consultation on the draft CBD Masterplan and the results along with the next steps for CBD enhancement are expected to be reported to council in November.”
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