A Dubbo real estate agent believes interest from businesses for property in the central business district is the highest it has been for at least two years.
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Real estate agent Chilton Simpson said the leasing of a Macquarie Street premises for a restaurant was a sign of the current strong interest in the city’s centre.
Dubbo’s first sushi train restaurant is set to open in the CBD today in premises that have undergone substantial renovation.
A former office has been refitted for the eatery featuring the popular element of Japanese food culture that dots metropolitan landscapes.
Its opening comes after a $100,000 development application for the food and drink premises was approved by Dubbo City Council on August 8.
The tenant had secured a lot of space that had been vacant for some time - since it ceased to be the office of the state member, he said.
He said he and his colleagues had leased “at least half a dozen” properties between Macquarie and Talbragar streets this year.
The new leases had been signed to a range of parties from local business people to national brands and were across retail and finance, the agent said.
“Some people prefer the lease terms of the main street - and it is the cafe and restaurant precinct,” Mr Simpson said.
“Inquiry is the strongest it’s been for two or three years.
“It’s evidenced by Sushi Train Zen going there - I think the premises had been vacant for two years.
“This is an excellent location, near the rotunda, and we’re excited for Mr Jeon.”
Sushi Train Zen owner Nathan Jeon said he had chosen to open at Dubbo because it did not have a sushi train.
In the past few days he and others had been preparing the store and by Sunday the rotation bar system was installed and signage at its Church Street entry was obvious to passers-by.
The business would employ six people including himself, he said.
Mr Jeon, who also has two sushi train restaurants in Sydney, said they would offer a Japanese menu of sushi, bento, sashimi and more.
“My favourite is teriyaki chicken,” he said.
Last month a sizable Macquarie Street store became vacant when Sam’s Warehouse was closed.
Another long-time retailer of the main street, The Warehouse, also announced it would cease trading.
The closures prompted discussion at a council meeting, with some councillors raising concerns about empty shops appearing in the main street, saying it needed to be “vibrant, viable and commercially attractive”.
