It was the beginning of one of Canberra’s oldest shopping precincts, which today is alive and well with vibrant restaurants, cafes and bars and a raft of professional services.

Model T Fords no longer line wide, dusty streets, but customers still spend time socialising and shopping, including in upmarket fashion and jewellery boutiques.

About 200 businesses operate in the area according to the Manuka Business Association.

“Last year we held one of the largest Parties at the Shops to celebrate Manuka’s rich and diverse history and Canberra’s Centenary,” says Scott McGrath, branch manager for Canberra of Bendigo Bank and president of the association.

“We saw how much people loved the area and decided to keep the momentum going.”

The association has since hosted networking evenings and conducted its own informal research, concluding that Manuka needed its own brand, the inspiration for which was the stained-glass fencing on Franklin Street.

“Beyond the new brand, which is rolling out now, the association is looking into more serious issues needing attention,” says Scott.

“We’re seizing the opportunity to revitalise Manuka. Canberra is growing at a rapid rate and the retail environment is exploding with the Kingston Foreshore, Braddon, New Acton and the like. We have a different offering and need to maximise that.”

Convenient access to Manuka is an issue. “The introduction of paid parking in the Parliamentary Triangle has negatively impacted traffic,” says Scott. “Staff who pay for parking don’t want to lose their spot by travelling to the inner-south for shopping, services or dining. The association is looking at innovative ideas to present to the ACT Government, such as a free shuttle bus service that could work its way through the Parliamentary Triangle, Manuka and Kingston between noon and 2pm.”

Another access issue relates to the change in the Number 6 bus routing, which has upset many retailers.

Wendy Loftus, who owns Living in Style, a gift shop that has been in Manuka for 27 years, says the bus used to stop in the heart of Manuka on Franklin Street.

“Then the route was changed and the bus now stops two blocks away on Captain Cook,” says Wendy.

“It defies logic because people, including the elderly, now have to cross busy roads and walk a much longer distance.”

Steve Doszpot, local Assembly member for Molonglo, who lives and works in the area, has received a large number of complaints about the re-routing.

Steve, who attends most association meetings, says: “There’s new blood, new energy and new ways of thinking with the association.

“It’s good to see people getting together to revitalise a suburb. The timing is right to work together on the re-routing problem, the need for more parking and accessibility from the parliamentary precinct. I’m looking to present these issues to the ministers concerned.”

ACTION Buses is on record saying it has no plans to change routes or bring new buses to Manuka, but a petition is underway by the association to test need.

IN the meantime, Manuka is as busy as Santa’s elves with Christmas around the corner, including several new businesses that have recently opened in the area, such as Pressed Juices, Priceline, Nineteentwentyseven by Cusak and Sushi Smith on The Lawns.

Many existing retail owners are celebrating decades of Christmas in Manuka. Living in Style, Creations and Briolette have been established in the area for more than two decades (some creeping towards three). And in hospitality, Grande’s and the Downtown Milkbar remain some of Manuka’s oldest institutions.

The New Year will see other improvements. A major expansion is underway by Ona Coffee, Urban Pantry will undergo a big refurbishment and the association will continue its work to keep new and existing customers flocking to the area.