CBD Activation Project
Our Vision for York Street
The Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has launched a CBD Activation Project – a multifaced initiative designed to bring more life, colour, and opportunity to York Street and the Albany CBD.
At its heart, the CBD Activation Project is about creating opportunities for everyone. For local businesses, it’s about opening up more customer-facing opportunities – whether you’re a York Street trader, a mobile food vendor, a market stall, or a start-up looking for visibility. For the community, it’s about giving families and locals something to enjoy regularly in the heart of the city, with fresh activities and attractions so it never feels like the same event twice.
For visitors, this project offers the chance to experience Albany like a local – discovering our food, art, and culture in a way that feels authentic and welcoming, no matter how short their stay. Together, these goals support a thriving, lively York Street for all.
Community Collaboration
The CBD Activation Project is powered by the Albany Chamber of Commerce & Industry and supported by the City of Albany and the creative energy of Albany Party Co. Together, we’re working to deliver vibrant events and projects that strengthen our CBD and support local businesses.
The CBD Activation Project currently includes two new initiatives, Thursdays on York and the No Naked Windows Project.
More to come, so watch this space!
Thursdays on York
From September 2025 through to May 2026, Thursday afternoons and evenings will be transformed with family-friendly activities, markets, food, and entertainment. This project is all about increasing foot traffic, supporting local businesses, and creating more opportunities for connection, both social and business in our city centre.
Every Thursday, 4pm – 8pm, from 11 September 2025 to 28 May 2026
(excluding 4 & 11 December 2025, and 26 February)
Come and enjoy:
Market stalls and artisan goods
Food vans and local vendors
Inflatables, amusements and kid-friendly activities
Entertainment and community fun for all ages
Thursdays on York is a pilot project, aiming to create a vibrant community space in the heart of Albany where families can enjoy an evening out, businesses can showcase their offerings, and visitors can experience the best of our city centre.
No Naked Windows
Through our No Naked Windows project, ACCI is partnering with local real estate agents and businesses to shift the narrative from vacant spaces and business closures, to giving local creatives and local people with ideas more exposure.
Vacant windows will be transformed into colourful displays showcasing local art, creative works, interesting ideas and community messages. These rotating exhibitions will add vibrancy to the CBD while also providing information about the available spaces and realtors.
Interested in taking part? Send us an expression of interest and we will contact you.
Get involved.
Join the ACCI Business Community with one of our newly created membership options!
Creative & Mobile Vendor Membership
To support businesses in their participation, the ACCI has introduced a brand-new membership tailored for creative and mobile vendors.
Membership benefits include:
Free vendor access to Thursdays on York (subject to availability)
Connection into the ACCI network of over 300 local businesses
Opportunities to showcase your business in the heart of Albany
Membership Cost: $35/month
Free market access for ACCI members
Non-members: $30 + GST per market
The ACCI has created two new memberships that are accessible for all, by including participation in these projects and low fees for organisations that are not yet members.
Main Street Membership
Designed for businesses located on Stirling Terrace, York Street, and nearby offshoots, this membership helps city-centre businesses connect with ACCI-led events, campaigns, and marketing initiatives that revitalise Albany’s CBD.
Membership benefits include:
Participation in curated customer experiences
Marketing support, including in-store photography and ready-to-use social media assets
Alignment with ACCI events and campaigns to boost visibility and foot traffic
Host an ACCI Sundowner event in their space*
Membership options:
Silver Membership – $35/month
or Gold Membership* – $60/month
View eligibility guidelines and full benefits on our Membership pages
Contact us to find out more
If this membership isn’t feasible for you right now, we still welcome your involvement in the CBD Activation Project. This is not an ACCI membership exclusive project. This is a flexible, evolving program, and we’re committed to working with businesses in ways that suit their capacity. Whether you’re a café, boutique, gallery, bookstore, nail bar, or service provider your presence matters.
If you would like further clarification or would like to catch up and chat about the Main Street Membership, please contact us.
Already an ACCI member but not in the Creative Vendor or Mainstreet Chapter? Contact us to update your membership.