My neighbourhood is changing and I'm not sure it's for the better. The Highgate/Mt Lawley strip used to be awesome, but then like all good strips it was screwed over. The popularity caused by it being just a little grotty, a lot hip and a cool spot to hang is the same thing that is destroying it. Landlords see how busy it becomes and they decide they need a slice of that pie. So rents go up, and soon enough all the businesses that gave this strip its edge are gone.
Soon to be no more as the landlord develops the arcade into who know's what |
Other businesses see an opportunity to grab the emptying spaces and cash in on the areas vibe, they're prepared to pay the high rents because they'll be charging higher prices and the crowds which are big will pay ... won't they? Maybe, but be assured that even if you have the big crowds it wont be the same crowds. The people that made the strip what it is are moving on, looking for somewhere else. Cheaper, grottier, cooler.
I watched this happen to Leederville a number of years ago, I used to go there a lot but no longer. In fact I've probably been 5 times in the last 5 years and most of those were to the cinema. Not the cafes or restaurants or the shops. They don't appeal to me. Now I'm feeling disconnected to Beaufort st and it's a familiar feeling.
No matter, there'll be a new spot wont there? Well that's the problem you see. Perth doesn't have many more villages left that can offer what Leederville used to and Highgate is struggling to hold onto. There simply aren't many more spots left.
I don't want to sound like a person who's against change or progress, I'm not, but not all change is necessarily good. Sadly this pattern is so very familiar and there is an air of inevitability on Beaufort st these days. Maybe once your street's festival becomes so huge that it devours itself then the writing is on the wall. Look out Angove st, you might be next.
Comments
The point I'm trying to express is that the atmosphere is leaving, the feeling of that street is changing and not all of it is good.
It's Leederville MK2