Owners of the National Hotel in Fremantle enthusiastic for the chance of a Dockers’ grand final.
By Stacey Ryde
Business owners in Fremantle are gearing up for the possibility of the Fremantle Dockers making the AFL Grand Final.
The prospect of a Grand Final appearance will bring major benefits for businesses in the city, with massive crowds expected for the day.
“There is a long term focus from this event, which will be re-energising, and bringing much needed attention back to the City of Fremantle,” said Ra Stewart, President of the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce.
The cappuccino strip along South Terrace has been painted purple in celebration of finals fever.
While businesses have been encouraged to decorate their shop windows in Dockers’ colours for an opportunity to score $1000 cash.
“We are excited about making businesses a real focus in the event,” said Mrs Stewart.
The City of Fremantle will once again be hosting a family-friendly celebration in the event of a Dockers’ Grand Final.
Fremantle will be transformed into a street festival with two giant screens to be positioned along South Terrace and one at the Fremantle Esplanade.
Mark Wilson, the general manager of the National Hotel in Fremantle, said they expect a full house and are planning to extend out multiple television screens.
“We’re expecting a good, long day of celebrations,” said General Manager Mark Wilson.
The National Hotel is also looking at sponsoring and supporting a second screen to be positioned in front of the building.
Many businesses are embracing the finals fever attitude, and The Monk Brewery and Kitchen are also getting into the spirit.
“We’ve been planning our grand final event for eight weeks now, we have new dining packages, we’re overstaffing and we’re getting extra tables,” said functions’ coordinator Alice Ogle.
Staff at The Monk Brewery are hoping a win for The Dockers’ will result in a new avenue of people visiting businesses.
This win could not only bring people in for the Dockers, but for the entire port city as well.
The Dockers will take on Hawthorn in a preliminary final at Domain Stadium this Friday.