Wine proposal among plans to keep North Freo businesses alive during bridge shut

A ‘North Fremantle Bridge’ wine and potential street party are just two of the ideas being floated by businesses along the Queen Victoria Street strip as they fight to survive the 12-month Fremantle Bridge closure from February.

Old Bridge Cellars owner Jay Beeson has pulled out all the stops to keep his business ticking during the closure, including improving online and delivery offerings, and installing bike racks to encourage cyclists.

“The main concern we’re seeing is that the traffic, which is our foot traffic, and the ability for customers to get to us and that North Fremantle strip, has been severely impacted for the last six months. When the bridge goes, there’s no knowing how bad it’s going to get,” he said.

“As a strip, we’re all banding together, and the mentality for us is just to survive – to be here on the other side.

The bridge is being closed from February for 12 months to dismantle the old traffic bridge and build a new $430 million suspension bridge in its place.

Beeson said his message to the public was to still visit the strip, despite the inconvenience of the bridge closure.

“I’ve actually proposed to try to do a North Freo Bridge wine that Mojo’s could pour, and Old Bridge could sell, and (local bar) Mrs Brown can pour by the glass,” he said.

“We’re just working on blends and that kind of stuff. It’ll be something we will roll out next year.”

A few doors down at popular eatery Piggy, the venue manager said business was already slowing with lanes closed and sporadic closures of the bridge.

He was trying to be optimistic that residents from Mosman Park and Cottesloe, who may have previously ventured into Fremantle, would stop on their strip instead, but it would be a tough sell.

“People might have just stopped in on the way home from work; they’re not necessarily going to be coming through here now,” he said.

The venue manager said he would like to see the government incentivise people to visit North Fremantle.

“If we’re going to close down the road, maybe we can do something with that closure – you can turn it into open walkways and have almost a street party,” he said

“We need to reinforce that, even though there are works, we’re definitely still open, and it’s definitely still a place we want people coming.”

Beeson said the bridge alliance’s communication with businesses had been good, but he felt small business concerns were being crowded out by the larger stakeholders.

He said businesses had been told that if they could prove significant losses to the state government, compensation may be on the cards.

“But at the moment, they can’t help with anything to smooth the bump,” Beeson said.

On Wednesday, the City of Fremantle and Fremantle Chamber of Commerce announced it was offering North Fremantle businesses $2000 grants for “creating marketing content and delivering paid campaign activity over their existing digital marketing channels.”

Businesses will also receive one-on-one guidance and direction from a professional marketing agency as part of the grant.

The government has so far introduced additional buses and trains, extra parking at Fremantle Train Station, a free transit zone along South Terrace in Fremantle, major road modifications and new school bus specials to help traffic flow through the area during the closure.

Fremantle Mayor Ben Lawver said the city was still considering what additional measures are needed to support business.

“A particular focus for us is about how we encourage people to switch their modes of transport during the closure, like making it easier for people to jump on a train, a bus or a bike to get around instead of driving,” he said.

Fremantle Chamber of Commerce chief executive Chrissie Maus said the power of businesses promoting Fremantle collectively will move the needle during the closure.

Cottesloe MP Sandra Brewer said the government should prioritise safer walking and cycling paths, and more accessible train stations.

“The main shared bike path is dangerously cut by Tydeman Road, a busy freight route to the port, making it unsafe and impractical for cyclists and pedestrians,” she said.

A petition is being circulated with more than 300 signatures calling for the state to improve cycling and pedestrian infrastructure in the area.

A spokesman for Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the state continued to assess the walking and cycling network.

“The closure is essential to complete construction on the new bridge, but the government recognises the impact it will have on the local road network and people’s travel times,” he said.

He said consultation with businesses began in 2024 and would continue during the closure.