Plans to extend the “powerhouse” of Harbour Nights into North East Hamilton have been warmly received by area businesses.

A new partnership between the Chamber of Commerce and the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation, announced yesterday, aims to help breathe fresh life into the area by extending Harbour Nights from Front Street in 2016.

The initiative comes after struggling North East Hamilton businesses told The Royal Gazette such a move could bring much-needed locals and visitors to their culturally distinctive district. Announcing the plan in a joint statement yesterday, the Chamber and BEDC said: “A partnership between the Chamber of Commerce and the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation has been formed to help revitalise the North Hamilton area with the potential extension of Harbour Nights.

“It was recently published that the North Hamilton area would like to tap into the powerhouse of Harbour Nights.”

Nicholas Lawla, of the Next Level barbershop in North East Hamilton, who previously spoke to this newspaper about the need to make the area more attractive, said yesterday: “It’s a good thing to promote the community and build it up — promote the place as a tourist area.

“It’s good to promote more work for the people, too. A lot of times if people don’t work it brings idlers. I am a person who from tender years has worked.”

“That’s good to hear,” said Nadine Dillas of Nad’z Beauty Enterprise, another business that had told this newspaper of the need to cultivate more foot traffic.

“Businesses around here, we need to come together and do something because it has been affecting us — we need more people to be around here.

“So I hope that they include us in their planning.”

She noted that other areas of the Island’s capital had garnered business from late night shopping and other promotional campaigns.

The special place held by the neighbourhood was acknowledged recently with the unveiling of a two-month consultation by the Department of Planning to develop a plan for the area.

In light of its unique status, its designs are also separate from the Draft City of Hamilton Plan 2015, unveiled last month by Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy.

According to Kendaree Burgess, the executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, the organisation heard the complaints from businesses and offered to help.

“We are hopeful that we can jointly create a solution that will work for both areas,” Ms Burgess said.

She said BEDC has been working with businesses, residents, and community stakeholders in North East Hamilton for years to rejuvenate the “culturally and historically rich and diverse” area.

North East Hamilton was also designated an Economic Empowerment Zone in June 2007.

The loss of the weekly Culture Fest, which brought visitors and locals to experience a diverse cultural market night, was called “a huge miss” for the area, leading to a decision to revive something for the area.

“BEDC has partnered with the Chamber of Commerce in the past and always welcomes the opportunity to work together for the betterment of businesses, entrepreneurs, and community,” said Erica Smith, the executive director of the BEDC.

“Harbour Nights is an established institution and a model we point to from a best-practice point of view and it makes sense to see how we can link North East Hamilton into the picture.

“We remain committed to regenerating North East Hamilton and look forward to working with the Chamber to make this initiative a possibility and a win-win for all.”