Cultural Centre management under fire

Business owners in the Italian Forum in Leichhardt have spoken out against the Cultural Centre’s management, and expressed scepticism about its decision to appeal to outside investors in search of cash.

Italian Forum Limited (IFL) wrote to the federal member for Grayndler, Anthony Albanese, to ask for assistance in finding new financial partners, as revealed by The Inner West Independent.

The letter also complained about difficulties with Leichhardt Council, which it accused of being “obstructive” and imposing “highly onerous” conditions on a $108,000 loan.

IFL President Ron Reynolds said the board is now in discussions with two external organisations about the future of the Cultural Centre.

But one restaurant owner in the Forum has cast doubt on that plan, questioning what potential investors would stand to gain.

“If you walk into a shop and you want to make a $20 investment for a pair of shoes, you walk away with a pair of shoes,” she said. “For somebody who’s going to invest a lot of money in the Italian Forum, what do they get in return?”

She said it would be possible to generate a profit with better management, but blamed a lack of cooperation between IFL and business owners damaging both parties.

“There’s a play on [tonight] and I don’t know anything about it. Why can’t they let shopkeepers know? They’re not supporting [us].”

Dinner-and-show deals could be used to entice visitors to eat at the Forum’s restaurants, the restaurant owner suggested.

She said not enough marketing had been done to attract events, and that charging people “exorbitant amounts” to use the facility was counter-productive.

“Even the markets don’t want to become because it’s so expensive.”

School orchestras, choirs, animal farms, seniors’ dancing, bike exhibitions and children’s entertainment such as merry-go-rounds could be hosted in the Piazza if access fees were lowered, she said.

Another business owner in the Forum told The Inner West Independent it was incumbent on landlords to lower their rents to ensure shops didn’t stay empty.

“With the Cultural Centre, they need to pull their finger out [and] put some events on,” she said. “They must have entertainment all the time.”

The facilities should be made available free of charge for a year in order to generate a loyal customer base, she said.

Mayor Darcy Byrne said Council would ensure the Cultural Centre remains open until 2016, as stipulated by the Commonwealth funding agreement. But he warned there would not be a “blank cheque” from the ratepayers of Leichhardt.

“IFL, who are a separate entity, are also receiving financial assistance from Council. Their internal financial matters are a matter for them,” he said. “Regardless of IFL’s future position, we will ensure there is a cultural facility that operates there.”

Mr Byrne said it was “plain as day” that Council was committed to rejuvenating the Forum, evidenced by its work to secure the $3.5 million Commonwealth loan, its ongoing financial assistance and its partnership with Renew Australia.

“Clearly we are engaged in policy activism in trying to rejuvenate that section,” he said.

Mr Albanese’s office did not confirm receipt of the letter from IFL.