From a poll taken of 60,000 shoppers, the Director of KPMG Centre for Consumer Behavior, Ross Honeywell reported in the Daily Telegraph last week, that 66 per cent of shoppers said they preferred street shopping.

The fact is that shoppers are getting tired of the sameness of shopping centres with the same stores and the same design and the same musak.

You could enter any one of the huge shopping malls any where in Australia and not know the difference.

It is time for the major developers to take heed of the warning signs. It is also an encouraging sign for small business operators in our local shopping centres.

Life in the 90’s means little time to be standing in long queues and coping with a fully loaded shopping trolley and a maze of ramps and car parks.

The shopping trend is slowly coming back to the streets where the retailer knows his/her customer and their needs.

Mr Honeywell described strip shopping as a place where shoppers recognised each other and would interact.

"Consumers want the engagement with the elements and the theatre of the streets," Mr Honeywell said.

If the retailer tailored their business to the needs of the consumer and not what the retailer would like, they would have a greater chance of success.

Knowing your customers needs and catering for them is so important.

In the fashion industry, the success stories are where the retailer takes the time to co-ordinate their garments, know their clients and provide personalised service.

When you walk into a major ladies fashion store, there is rack after rack of clothes, there is little time to be sorting and putting tops and bottoms together, it becomes bewildering.

So, you walk out. Come out of the huge shopping mall, walk along the street, your eye catches the colours in a window, you spy outfits co-ordinated so well by your local retailer, you’re immediately drawn inside … snagged.

Now its up to the retailer who knows you look great in red and black, to put your look together for you. It's all part of the SERVICE.

Imagine if you will, the smell of freshly brewed coffee or beautiful sweet smelling flowers, the aroma of fresh vegetable soup from the local deli … try walking past that!

It really is the theatre of the street.

Our local retailers have the ideal opportunity to cash in on the trend to local shopping centres. Mainstreet’s role is to help in that process.

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce & Peninsula Mainstreet will be holding the Peninsula Business Awards gala dinner dance on Friday, July 2, where the Business of the Year will be announced.

There are a number of categories where any business from the Peninsula may be nominated.

A Courtesy Award will be presented as well as the Outstanding Business Promotion Award.

One person will be recognised by the Chamber of Commerce for his or her service to the local community for the Service to the Community Award which will be presented on the evening.

Nomination forms will be available at local outlets from mid May for businesses to be nominated.

Anyone can nominate a business and as many times as they like to go into a draw for a major prize which will be drawn on the evening.

More details will follow as they are finalised. However, you may contact the Mainstreet Office on 43 427 510 for enquires.

Mainstreet is finalising the landscape design for Ettalong Beach and Woy Woy Town Square

The Mainstreet Co-ordinator is working in conjunction with the Gosford City Councils Building Committees to finalise the concept landscape drawings for both Ettalong Beach and Woy Woy Town Square.

The works will begin in Woy Woy town centre in the coming months while the works in Ettalong Beach are continuing.

The Mainstreet Co-ordinator is working in conjunction with Ettalong Beach Memorial Club for the Carnivale 2000 on New Years Eve. Lots of colour and entertainment is planned for the street party. More to come.

Ettalong Beach Country Music Festival will be held on Saturday, October2, of the long weekend.

There will be country bands and entertainment for all the family.

Once again, street stalls will be invited to set up there wares in the street. More down the track.

C’Jays Restaurant opened last week on The Boulevarde, Woy Woy, a fully licenced restaurant which opens onto a courtyard overlooking Anderson Park. The menu offers a variety of choices in a perfect setting. Bookings 43 429922

Congratulations to the owners of the Bayview Arcade who have completed a beautiful renovation on the complex which compliments the foreshore of Woy Woy.

Let's hope other property owners follow suit to upgrade their properties in conjunction with the street beautification soon to start.