A large economic summit involving every business improvement association in Vancouver is being held Thursday.
The goal is to come up with solutions to help small business owners deal with things like public safety, increasing costs, and recovering from the pandemic.
Teri Smith, executive director of the West End BIA, hopes more people open up shop in the area.
“Across our city, we’re seeing a vacancy rate of over 10 per cent — that’s incredibly unhealthy,” she told CityNews.
Smith explains the BIAs are coming together, along with B.C. Premier David Eby to talk about plans to “have different levels of government coordinate on and implement to support a healthier small business sector.
She adds there is not one specific neighbourhood that is struggling more than any other, but that the issues are widespread across the City of Vancouver.
“We’re hoping to touch on the issues and address them in a meaningful way.”
-With files from Mike Lloyd and Sonia Aslam