New name, no love
Image: Foley Street art
As part of a recent change in direction, the Darlinghurst Business Partnership has reclaimed its original name.
The DBP, previously known as the 2010 Business Partnership, told City News the change in name would serve as a reminder of where they had come from and the history behind the group.
Its president, Stephan Gyory, adopted the role this year and hopes to achieve a more focused goal for the organisation.
“My main goal is to bring the partnership back to a grassroots style of membership,” Mr Gyory said.
East Sydney itself covers a large area with many suburbs sharing the 2010 postcode. By focusing the partnership on Darlinghurst alone, Gyory aims to deliver a more directed service to the community.
“The patch was far too big for us,” he explains. “The ultimate end game is to see similar groups emerge throughout the 2010 postcode and eventually form an alliance to better promote East Sydney.”
Mr Gyory describes East Sydney as forgotten about in tourism campaigns.
“Sydney is marketed by its iconic features. The bridge, the Opera House and its beaches,” he said. “But, you can only climb the Harbour Bridge so many times.”
The average length of a tourist’s stay in Sydney has dropped to three days from five, and Mr Gyory blames this on the way in which Sydney is promoted.
“Visitors will only come back to cities they form relationships with,” he said.
“East Sydney has the personality to do that but we are left out of the campaigns and given no love.”
The DBP hopes to provide business owners with an avenue for conversation about their community and its direction.
“It is so good to see people who have never spoken before just get together. take a breath and share ideas,” Mr Gyory said. “It is where some of our best ideas are hatched.”
Mr Gyory spoke of an “excellent relationship” with the local council. But when the City of Sydney was approached for a comment on this story, a spokesperson was unaware that Mr Gyory had taken over the presidency.
“Our involvement extends to an annual grant,” the spokesperson confirmed.
In December 2013, the council awarded the organisation $37,500 plus $5,500 for banner pole hire.
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