Newly appointed WEDB business development officer (beginning August 4), Matt Sloan, said that he wanted to encourage new businesses to the plaza as well as other shopping areas.

“It really depends on the business type, certainly main street is more for boutique shops, services and eateries,” Mr Sloan said, speaking in an unofficial capacity

There is one café, a health food store and one take away on Patterson Street.

“Advice we would give is dependent on the business type as to where we would direct them to be best located.

“If they perceive they need volumes of people and customer traffic then I would advise businesses to Westland’s,” Mr Sloan said.

When challenged that businesses in the City Plaza need and rely on customer numbers also, Mr Sloan countered that the City Plaza is different.

“There are services there, a lot of banks so it brings people in to the main street and boutiques can create their own market,” he added.

Whyalla City Council chief executive officer Phil Cameron added to Mr Sloan’s comments.

“I think what Matt was trying to say is that if a business needs high turnover, such as perishables/groceries etcetera, then Westland’s is obviously better positioned for that.

“Weekly customer numbers at Westland’s exceed about 90 000, the City Plaza is significantly lower than that.

“Do your homework, get advice and do a business plan.

“The Plaza is still a great part of town,” Mr Cameron said.