The Long Street Association has officially been revived, with a newly appointed committee stepping in to help bring fresh energy, structure and support to one of Cape Town’s most iconic streets.
The LSA has been around since 2015 and was formally registered as an NPO in 2021. After a quieter period, the association is now being brought back to life by a group of local business owners, landlords and stakeholders who believe in the future of Long Street and want to see it thrive again.
The newly formed committee includes representatives from key businesses and properties along the street, including Joshua Peach from Nom Nom, Romano Simpson from Long Street Boutique Hotel, Andy Raffles from Stones, Patrick Tshipeng from Mama Africa and Maroon, and John Davidson from Bob’s Bar. The committee brings together people who understand the street from different angles, from hospitality and nightlife to accommodation, events and property ownership.
A United Voice for Long Street
The aim of the revived Long Street Association is to create a stronger, more organised voice for the street.
Long Street has always been one of Cape Town’s most recognisable destinations. It has history, nightlife, restaurants, backpackers, hotels, creative businesses and some of the city’s most character-filled buildings. But like many inner-city areas, it also needs focused attention, better coordination and long-term support.
The LSA wants to work closely with the CCID, the City of Cape Town, landlords, tenants, business owners and security partners to help improve the area in a practical and sustainable way.
This is not about changing what makes Long Street unique. It is about protecting its character, improving the experience for visitors and locals, and creating an environment where good businesses can grow.
Security, Cameras and Better Support
One of the biggest focus areas for the association is safety and security.
The committee is already discussing ways to improve visible security on the street, including working with security companies, the CCID and the City to explore better camera coverage, monitoring and coordinated response systems.
Better CCTV and security support can help deter crime, assist with incident response, and make the street feel safer for visitors, residents, staff and business owners.
The goal is not only to react to problems, but to put proper systems in place so that Long Street becomes better managed, better supported and easier to enjoy.
Events, Road Closures and Bringing People Back
The LSA also plans to look at future events that can bring people back to Long Street in a positive way.
This may include working with the City on planned road closures, street activations and events that showcase the businesses, food, music, culture and history of the area.
Long Street has always had energy. The opportunity now is to channel that energy into well-organised events that support local businesses, attract visitors and remind Cape Town why Long Street matters.
Working With Landlords and Tenants
Another key focus is improving the buildings and overall look of the street.
Many of the buildings on Long Street have incredible heritage value and architectural character. The association hopes to work with landlords and tenants to encourage better building maintenance, improved facades, cleaner shopfronts and more thoughtful street-level improvements.
By improving the buildings and public-facing spaces, Long Street can attract stronger tenants, more destination businesses and better long-term investment.
This includes supporting efforts around cleaning, lighting, signage, painting, security and general building upgrades where possible.
Looking Ahead
The revival of the Long Street Association is an important step forward.
There is still a lot to discuss, plan and put in place, but the intention is clear: to work together, build better relationships, improve safety, support businesses and help Long Street move into its next chapter.
Long Street has always been bold, layered and full of life. With the right partnerships and renewed commitment from the people who care about it, the street has every reason to grow stronger again.
