AS The Press Book House Cafe celebrates five years in business it is also attempting to meet the challenge of light rail construction on Hunter Street.
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The unique CBD bookstore and coffee shop has gone from strength to strength under the creative influences of its founders Murrie Harris and Dr Ivy Ireland.
The pair wanted to create a welcoming, low pressure atmosphere where all customers are equal and free to occupy the space in their own way.
Some customers drop in for a coffee and a game of chess, others swing past for a take-away and toasted sanga on their lunch break.
The business was launched on a shoestring budget.
“We came into a bare shell, basically,” Mr Harris said. “It’s very much come into its own with its own unique atmosphere.
“Grown it slowly and the customers have grown with us.”
The vibe is created, in part, by wall-to-wall bookshelves, carrying thousands of mostly secondhand titles. There are unusual objects to look at. Old suitcases, and French horn, are perched on top of the shelves.
A row of gavels are suspended from the ceiling as a makeshift mobile. They sit beside a pushbike, which also dangles from above.
“It’s like a lounge room, comfy,” Mr Harris said. “We get people from all walks of life. It’s okay to just come in and hang.”
It has hosted book launches, poetry readings, comedy, music nights and partners with the Newcastle Writers Festival, The Newcastle Fringe Festival and This is Not Art as a venue.
However, it’s steady flow of customers ground to a halt on April 10 when foot access from one side of Hunter Street to the other, between Union and Merewether Streets, was closed due to light rail construction.
Mr Harris was notified by letter one week prior to the closure. And while he is not opposed to the rail itself, it has certainly presented challenges for his business.
“Monday it was normal trading figures for coffee, food and book sales,” Mr Harris said. “Come Tuesday I was letting staff go at midday.”
Mr Harris said the business has survived construction of NeW Space and the first stages of light rail.
“There is two city blocks that are a construction zone. You can’t cross Hunter Street in those blocks,” he said. “I couldn’t expect people to make that trek.”
The works are expected to last six weeks. However, Mr Harris said he was concerned about delays.
He has asked Transport for NSW to open up temporary foot access from Auckland Street.
By Friday works on a north-south pedestrian crossing near NewSpace had beugun.
