BRIM businesses are reaping the benefits of the town’s new artwork.
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International street artist Guido van Helten’s 30-metre by 30-metre mural on the side of the town’s silos has created widespread attention.
It has also helped draw new visitors to the town.
Brim’s W.G. and S.F. McPherson general store manager Chris McPherson said there was nothing else in Australia like the mural.
“I think for a start we didn't really know how big the artwork was going to be,” he said.
“They are 100-foot silos, so the artwork is probably 90 feet high. It is truly incredible.”
Mr McPherson said the artwork had drawn people from across the country, which helped Brim’s economy.
“Some are coming from three or four hundred kilometres away,” he said.
“Others will spend two or three hours in the car to get here then go home again.
”Some are making detours to include Brim when they wouldn’t normally go through the town.
“The hotel is doing more meals and drinks, and we’re getting traffic with ice creams, drinks and sandwiches.
“That is good, but we also want to encourage them to visit our main street as well – we don’t want them to come to the silos and go home.
“They need to continue to the Yarriambiack Creek and Redda’s Park.”
Brim’s Commercial Hotel owners Rod and Carmel Holland have appreciated the extra numbers the silo mural has brought to their business. Mr Holland said the artwork meant more people through the door and more meal orders.
”It’s hard to know what’s going to happen. We did 20 meals on Friday, all as a result of the silos, but the day before we had nothing,” he said.
“It’s a bit hit and miss.
“In the couple of hours over lunch we’ve definitely noticed a change.
“It all helps. Every dollar counts, and it doesn’t matter where it comes from.
“The silos have put Brim on the map, and not just in Australia. We are the town with the silo mural now.”
Mr Holland said many people who had visited the silos from outside the Wimmera had a connection to Brim.
“We had someone who had travelled from an hour outside Melbourne. Their father said to come past the silos because he used to be the headmaster at Woomelang,” he said.
“You get a lot of people who have ties to the area and know Brim coming to have a look.
”There are definitely a few more cars moving around the place.
“It’s hard to judge the visitors at the moment, because it’s only been a couple of weeks since the artwork was finished. Winter will be the time we know if it has really changed the volume of people who come through the door of the hotel.”
Mr Holland said the project had provided a spark for the town.
“It’s something to be positive about,” he said.
R.M. Dixon and Sons’ Greg Dixon said though the mural did not have direct benefits for his business, the town was buzzing.
“It’s given everyone a new lease of life,” he said.
“It has also been great to give everyone something else to think about besides how dry it is.”