Lismore City Council has held three Business Renewal Forums this week. This was a chance for council to lead a discussion with business owners about stimulating the local economy in the short term and to facilitate creative thinking that can help shape the future of our city.

The Lismore App went along to Wednesday's session in the Business Hub at Southern Cross University to find out what was on people's minds and to hear some imaginative ideas.

When the question about the main aim of the session was raised, most responded with "To inspire others about how we can come back together as a thriving community and economy", followed by "Keep to part of renewing our local business community."

It was clear that business owners had been through the wringer and were eager to rebuild their shops and their lives, some are just hanging on.

There were 4,145 businesses operating in the Lismore local government area, and 3,170 were directly or indirectly impacted by flooding.

(Business NSW Regional Manager Northern Rivers Jane Laverty and LCC CBD Activation Officer Kathryn Gray facilitate Wednesday's forum)

LCC CBD Activation Officer Kathryn Gray displayed the results of a business survey that was completed by 300 local businesses in June 2022, so reflective of what was happening at that time.

The findings were:

• 93% reported direct damage to their premises
• 89% reported infrastructure damage
• 70% reported stock damage

It was clear to see the impact the catastrophic flood had on our business community on February 28 2022.

When asked what the top three challenges for local businesses were, the responses were:

• Staffing
• Cash Flow
• Funding

The top three opportunities people wanted to address were:

• Sustainability
• Growth
• Innovation

Mental Health and Infrastructure were also mentioned.

During a brainstorming session for what the goals would be for Christmas 2022, there were many ideas like pedestrian access, the recovery grants rolled out, improved mental health, more smiles on faces, support a shop local campaign, Christmas markets, more street lights and new and more local signage.

By Christmas 2023 the room wanted to see more businesses open, more smiles on faces, reinvent the image of Lismore, beautify more spaces and create a big Christmas event in the CBD.

In the short term, the immediate idea that was voiced was to put local artwork in the windows of the buildings that were not occupied, making it more interesting to walk around the CBD block.

While there was a bit of negativity in the room, as you would expect, there were some creative ideas that would enhance the Lismore CBD as well as ideas that would benefit the entire LGA.

LCC is criticised regularly, it is a hobby for some. General Manager John Walker wrapped up the session with Mayor Steve Krieg acknowledging the pain that everyone is feeling and expressing their frustration at the lack of funding that has been rolled out and in the case of Landlord Grants, has not been announced yet.

"Patience" was the key from Mr Walker due to the astronomical scale of the damage, "We can't just do it quickly, you have to be patient," he said. "I feel a personal hurt that my organisation has not been able to deliver to you what you need. We are trying to help."

Mr Walker ended with some good news, 60% of council's artwork has been saved and the Hannah Cabinet will be back on display.

With Christmas 2022 only twenty weeks away, it won't be long before we see what LCC's plan is for those business owners that have reopened.