It feels like 2020 has been the longest year on record for everyone.
Things are hardly back to normal by any standard, but it has been encouraging to see the buzz of back to school shoppers and the community embracing dining out again.
As we enter the last quarter of the year, it’s important to remember that there are some industries stuck in limbo, such as any facility that hosts crowds.
What does the future hold for entertainment venues?
The Lighthouse, which provides support to Saskatoon’s homeless and mentally ill, is vital to our community but it can’t come at the expense of our vibrant Downtown as a whole.
Prior to the global pandemic, Saskatoon’s Downtown businesses were already feeling the impact of reduced foot traffic due to safety concerns of the Lighthouse.
Now, the reported national statistics for tenant relief requests from the retail sector mirror close to what we’ve seen in Saskatoon.
As a result of economy shutting down to Covid-19, on average, 70 per cent of requests have come from retail tenants; only 30 per cent have come from the office and industrial sectors.
A game plan to invigorate our downtown retail business before it’s too late is urgent.
It’s time for the City, local businesses, and the Lighthouse to examine a Plan B if we hope to save this core neighbourhood.
The dialogue is starting around this latest experiment in the office sector.
We’ve seen other experiments in recent years such as the open office concept and co-working concept. COVID-19 has accelerated a work-from-home (WFH) trial that might otherwise have taken years to duplicate.
Will WFH emerge as the disruptor that some are suggesting?
Will organizations be able to maintain culture within, while the experiment is underway?
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