Redfern roller doors ripped down

Redfern will undergo a facelift in coming months as businesses start removing roller doors from their shopfronts.

City of Sydney has already approved two grants for the removal of roller doors on Regent St as part of the ‘Roll-up Redfern’ initiative, which aims to create a vibrant and inviting streetscape.

Council voted unanimously on Monday night for early grants to be awarded to Redfern Cellars and Labels on Sale.

Marie Moraindinis, manager of Labels on Sale, said the removal of the roller doors were would change the appeal of the street scape.

“The shop looks nicer from the inside, and the outside. A lot of people have worked really hard to make this whole street look better.”

Labels on Sale was awarded $14,400 to remove nine roller doors after the council considered it part of ‘the gateway to Redfern’.

These nine doors are shut all day Sunday and Monday and are visible to over 37,000 vehicles passing them daily.

“Because we open at 11am, and close at 6pm, people who drive through here early or late thought we were out of business because of the roller doors… they thought a lot of the shops had moved on.’’

The doors will be replaced with a lattice-like security screen, which the council is expecting to make the street feel more welcoming.

Criminology expert from the University of Sydney, Garner Clancey hailed these changes as a great way to reduce crime in the area.

“Light spilling from the shops enhances the sense of activity and reduces perceptions that the area is a ‘no-go’ or ‘crime prone’ area, which can be associated with the use of heavy shutters,” he said.

A Council spokesperson said the project would add to sense of security and wellbeing to the area.

“It contributes to a sense of safety, wellbeing and economic activity . . . It aims to help build a strong community spirit and support new and existing businesses and local residents.’’

The removal of the roller doors compliments other initiatives taken in Redfern, such as the widening of footpaths and the burying of powerlines.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said on her website: “Redfern will be restored to a beautiful and historic inner-city village.”

“I love being in Redfern. It’s tremendous now, but it will grow and grow.’’

The Roll-up Redfern group is funded by the City of Sydney council, the Redfern Waterloo Authority, REDwatch, the South Sydney Business chamber, and the Souths Rabbitohs.

By Timothy Clarke