Quarter 1 update from Woodstock Improvement District

It’s been full steam ahead launching into 2024 for the Woodstock Improvement District. As we look forward to the Easter break, we share our CID’s stats and achievements for the first quarter of the year.

Don’t forget to review the Draft National Business Licensing Policy before 31 March if you haven’t done so already. And, we remind you to stay safe on the roads over this busy holiday period.

Quarter 1 stats (watch)

Have Your Say on the Draft National Business Licensing Policy by 31 March

Since 1994, a substantial body of new laws has emerged from all levels of government to fulfil the mandate presented by the 1996 Constitution. The journey towards a constitutional, democratic order began with the adoption of the Constitution in 1996 and has continued with the enactment of new laws and the amendment and/or repeal of old laws.

Part of developing new legislation and even amending existing legislation is the development of a policy paper that will inform the policy thrust and direction of the proposed legislation. The Department has developed the draft National Business Licensing Policy, which will inform the review of the Businesses Act of 1991.

Draft National Business Licensing Policy

Members of the public are hereby invited to send comments to MMasoga@dsbd.gov.za or submit by hand at The DTI Campus, Department of Small Business Development, 77 Meintjies Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, Block G Ground Floor within 30 (thirty) days of publication of this notice. This means that the comments period is from the 1st of March 2024 to the 31st of March 2024.

Access the draft national business licensing policy here.

We encourage you to provide your comments by completing this survey at the link.

Road Resurfacing for Woodstock & Salt River

The City of Cape Town has announced the commencement of road resurfacing works along Victoria Road and Albert Road in the Woodstock and Salt River areas.

The project began on 25 March, and completion is expected by the end of June this year, weather permitting.

Work will be conducted on weekdays and Sundays between 8:30am and 3:30pm, with occasional night shifts from 6:30pm to 5:30am.

Read more here.

Stay Safe this Holiday Season

It’s a busy time of year on the roads and we urge you to take extreme caution at this time. Check your vehicle before embarking on long trips, be sure to take necessary breaks as the driver, remain aware of other road users and never, ever drink and drive.

Read more on our post on Road Safety Tips here.

Wishing you all a happy Easter!

Woodstock Art Guide

February is Cape Town art month – with two major programme highlights being the Cape Town Art Fair from 16-18 February at the CTICC, and the International Public Art Festival from 14-18 February across the City Centre. To celebrate Woodstock’s place on the Cape Town art map, we have compiled our own guide of all the artist hot spots to be found in Woodstock and neighbouring Salt River.⁠

From art galleries and artist studios, to some of the best art stores, framing shops and art colleges in the city, Woodstock is one of the most notable art routes in Cape Town.⁠

Woodstock Art Galleries

Stevenson Gallery

Buchanan Building, 160 Sir Lowry Road

@stevenson_za

Arguably one of Cape Town’s most important galleries, representing regional artists on the international art scene such as Zanele Muholi, Penny Siopis, Guy Tillim, Zander Blom, Wim Botha and Pieter Hugo, Stevenson has galleries in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Amsterdam and participates in Art Basel, Frieze London, Paris Photo, Art Basel Miami Beach and of course, Cape Town Art Fair.

Art It Is Gallery

76 Albert Road, Woodstock

Art Is It is a vibrant addition to the contemporary art scene, providing a space that both showcases new talent and removes the feeling of intimidation when visiting a gallery to view art.

@artitisgallery

131a Gallery

131 Sir Lowry Road

One of Cape Town’s top young galleries of contemporary art in a small space that hosts excellent exhibitions of solo artists and group shows, 131a Gallery is run by the founder of Cape Town’s artsy Lake magazine, Brett Bellairs.

@131agallery

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How to Prepare Your Property for the Festive Season

After a challenging 2021, filled with great uncertainty and change globally, many of us are looking forward to wrapping things up for a well deserved holiday with family and friends. Ensuring that your property is secure and your business protected is the best Christmas gift you can give yourself and will give you the peace of mind that will allow you to relax and recuperate. 

Here are our top security tips to keep your property safe so you can enjoy the merry season: 

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Women-owned businesses in Woodstock

Women entrepreneurs are leading the way in many fields in Africa. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor’s latest biannual Women’s Entrepreneurship report, Sub-Saharan Africa is the region that reports the highest percentage of female business owners in the world, at 11.3% of its women running businesses (compared to just 6% globally). 

Much is the case in Woodstock, Cape Town, where a host of our established, women-run businesses uplift our community by creating jobs and drawing people to the area. Historically a part of Cape Town where industry blossomed since the late 1800s, from glass manufacture to textiles, still today Woodstock is known as a hub for the creative industries and go-to destination for suppliers.

August has become synonymous in South Africa with Women’s Month  –  perhaps because a single day hardly begins to recognise the importance of female leaders amongst our local and global communities.

This month we profile four of our own Woodstock women, business owners paving the way across the sectors of food, art, fashion and interior design.

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Going local this festive season

Going local this festive season

This year Christmas will unlikely be the same. The tills won’t be ringing with the same vigour because of business closures along with the worst unemployment rate and retail spend in years, according to economists, retail analysts and trade unions.

But who’s to say we can’t have ourselves a Merry Christmas after all?

Despite everything that has transpired this year and all the stress we have been put under as a nation and globally, the festive season is a time of year that everyone looks forward to – and now that it is finally here we should not squander it!

Make the most of this holiday season by trying out our list of things to make and do and places to visit to put a boost in your holiday cheer.

Whatever route you choose, as long as you’ve got the spirit of Christmas in your heart, you really can’t go wrong.

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