It’s time to get your groove on, Cape Town – First Thursdays is back! The popular initiative, which contributes significantly to the Central City’s night-time economy, returns this week amid strict Covid-19 safety protocols in a bid to kick-start the embattled CBD economy.
First Thursdays, the popular monthly night-time event that enables Capetonians to enjoy the CBD’s art galleries, cultural attractions restaurants and other businesses, is back in business. After a five-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is restarting in an effort to accelerate the recovery of the economy of the city centre and to encourage people to come back to town.
A smaller, co-ordinated programme of galleries, restaurants, bars and shops will extend their opening hours to the public on Thursday 3 September to provide patrons with a chance to enjoy themselves in the CBD while observing Covid-19 protocols.
First Thursdays co-founder Gareth Pearson of Thursdays Projects says the decision to bring back First Thursdays was prompted by the urgent need to inject income back into Central City businesses that have been severely affected by the Lockdown restrictions put in place by Government to control the spread of the pandemic. “After engaging with the businesses that regularly participate in First Thursdays, it was clear that most of them were interested in restarting the programme,” Pearson says.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS IN PLACE
Individual businesses will be responsible for following Covid-19 safety protocols in their spaces, including limiting the number of people inside at any given time. “Galleries are generally spacious and can accommodate a safe flow of people by controlling access, while restaurants and bars will be encouraged to follow the national guidelines as per the gazetted Level 2 Lockdown regulations,” he confirms.
In a plea to the public to act responsibly while out on the town, Pearson says visitors to the CBD need to be considerate of those around them, practise social distancing, wear a mask and avoid gathering in crowds. “If every individual acts in a responsible way, everyone can enjoy First Thursdays collectively.”
Capetonians out on the town, enjoying First Thursdays before the coronavirus pandemic.
COME BACK TO TOWN
Cape Town Central City Improvement District CEO Tasso Evangelinos applauded the move to restart First Thursdays, saying it was imperative to encourage visitors and employees to come back to town. “With Lockdown regulations easing, it’s time to invigorate businesses in town and kick-start the economy of the Central City, and what better way to do it than First Thursdays, a very popular initiative with Capetonians who love and appreciate what the CBD has to offer. It’s time to remind them what they’ve been missing,” Evangelinos says.
Pearson agrees. “Even before the pandemic, many businesses relied on the injection of income that First Thursdays brings. With Lockdown restrictions, fewer people working in town, and no tourism revenue, the Central City economy has taken a massive knock. Many businesses have already closed down, and more will follow unless there is an injection of people and spending. As long as First Thursdays can take place safely, it has the potential to help accelerate the rejuvenation of the Central City economy, extending a lifeline to those businesses that are still hanging on.” Venues participating this week can be found here: http://first-thursdays.co.za/cape-town/ and people can also follow First Thursdays on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstthursdays_za.
FIRST THURSDAYS SURVEYS
The First Thursdays was started by Thursdays Projects in 2012. It has grown in popularity since then, according to dipstick surveys conducted by the CCID. The most significant observations of a dipstick survey conducted in December last year were:
- Age: First Thursdays attendees are gradually becoming older. In a previous CCID dipstick survey done in 2016, half of all those surveyed were 18 to 25 years old. In the December 2019 survey, the largest age group was 25 to 34 years with people frequenting more restaurants, bars and clubs than art galleries.
- Transport: Most people still drive to First Thursdays (46 %) but the percentage of patrons travelling by taxi or Uber has increased noticeably since 2016.
- Where they live: Most visitors come from the southern suburbs (44 %) followed by nearly a quarter from the CBD/City Bowl and a further 22 % from the northern suburbs. This has not changed significantly in recent years.
- Friends and family: Most respondents in 2016 and 2019 attended First Thursdays with family and friends. A surprisingly large number – 14 % – came alone while a growing number – 16 % in 2019 – attended with work colleagues.
- Repeat visitors: While 42 % of 2016 respondents had not been to First Thursdays before, this dropped to just under 21 % in 2019. Of those who had previously attended the initiative, 43 % said they had attended five or more times – highlighting the event’s ongoing appeal.
- Street vibe: The vibe on the streets remains the favourite aspect (66.8 %) of First Thursdays. The appeal of visiting galleries directly after work appears to have decreased, while visiting bars and restaurants remains popular with almost 30 % of respondents.
IMAGES: CCID