Cape Town CBD entrepreneurs experience record business confidence

In a remarkable turnaround since the pandemic, business confidence amongst Cape Town’s Central Business District (CBD) entrepreneurs have surged to unprecedented levels, achieving a staggering 97.8% in the final quarter of 2025. This upward trajectory marks a significant uplift from 96.2% reported in the previous quarter and represents the highest confidence levels noted since the post-Covid-19 recovery began.

The findings, released in the latest Business Confidence Survey conducted by the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID), reveal that a remarkable 86.2% of the 297 surveyed business owners observed that overall trading conditions improved over the past year. With many looking ahead, 86.9% anticipate growth for their businesses in the coming year, reflecting a robust belief in the CBD’s potential for continued stability and prosperity.

Tasso Evangelinos, CEO of the CCID, attributes this resurgence to the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit that has been energising the Central City.

“Businesses in town continue to demonstrate resilience, innovating and reimagining themselves to remain relevant – and they’re confident about the year ahead,” he said. “This reflects their confidence in the CBD’s capacity for growth and stability.”

Driving change and growth

At the heart of this flourishing landscape are dynamic small business owners who are actively reshaping the inner city’s economic scene. Colette MacLennan, owner of the beloved eatery, The General Store, on Bree Street, exemplifies this trend. “We started as a team of four and now, after 10 years, there are 12 of us,” she said.

“Our success lies in our venue’s proximity to our loyal customer base.” MacLennan emphasises the importance of their consistent offering of fresh, healthy meals, stating that no day is ever the same in her bustling establishment.

Richard Lemkus, proprietor of the iconic sneaker store Lemkus, which has roots dating back to 1935, speaks to the multifaceted nature of business in the CBD.

“We believe in the future of the CBD not just as a business location but as a cultural and creative hub.” Lemkus notes that the current momentum, coupled with a warm openness to new ideas, creates opportunities for businesses to provide genuine experiences that resonate with the essence of Cape Town.

Innovation amidst challenges

As businesses navigate through competition, operational pressures, and financial accessibility, their response reflects a collective willingness to innovate. In the Q4 2025 Business Confidence Index, 23.4% of participating business owners indicated plans to introduce new products or services. MacLennan and Lemkus are among these entrepreneurs capitalising on innovation. MacLennan is expanding her operations with a new production kitchen to cater to a growing demand, while Lemkus is enhancing customer engagement by creating Jack’s Burgers, a food kiosk adjacent to his store.

A collaborative environment

The CCID's pivotal role in fostering a thriving city centre cannot be understated. “They’re a supportive and safe presence for my business, my employees, and my customers,” affirms MacLennan, echoing sentiments shared by Lemkus.

“The CCID plays an essential role in creating a functional foundation for businesses like ours by ensuring clean streets, visible security, and responsive urban management. This allows us to focus on building meaningful experiences.”

Both business owners emphasised their commitment to integrating their establishments into the urban fabric, enhancing the city’s vibrancy. “We’re constantly thinking about how our spaces interact with the surrounding city; how they open up to the street, how they invite people in,” Lemkus said.

“We want to be part of the flow of the city, not separate from it.”

As optimism permeates the CCID's index, the future appears bright for CBD entrepreneurs who are poised to thrive in the resilient and stable environment that Cape Town’s city centre offers.

Weekend Argus