Cape Town’s Central Business District (CBD) is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in optimism as business owners reported a staggering business confidence rate of 97.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the latest Business Confidence Survey by the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID), reports Cape {town} Etc.
This figure indicates not only a significant leap from 96.2% reported in the third quarter but also marks the highest level of confidence since the city embarked on a post-COVID-19 recovery journey.
Tasso Evangelinos, CEO of the CCID, expressed that this surge in confidence is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit thriving within 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 asserted.
The survey, which engaged 297 local business owners, revealed that a decisive 86.2% of respondents noted improvements in overall business conditions over the past year, while 86.9% anticipate growth for their enterprises in 2026. ‘This reflects their confidence in the CBD’s capacity for growth and stability,’ Evangelinos reiterated.
Cape Town’s vibrant small business sector plays an instrumental role in driving this burgeoning confidence, reshaping the inner city’s economic landscape.
Cole MacLennan, owner of The General Store on Bree Street, shared her experience as a thriving entrepreneur. ‘We started as a team of four and now, after ten years, there are 12 of us,’ she noted.
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MacLennan attributes her success to the loyalty of their customer base and a consistent offering of fresh, healthy meals. ‘No day is ever the same,’ she remarked, embodying the creativity that characterises the city’s small businesses.
Richard Lemkus, who owns the iconic sneaker store Lemkus, stressed the multidimensional nature of doing 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,’ he asserted.
Lemkus highlighted the growing demand for authentic experiences and the opportunities available for businesses willing to adapt.
The Fourth Quarter 2025 Business Confidence Index revealed that over 23.4% of business owners plan to introduce new products or services in response to increasing competition, operational pressures, and difficulties in financing.
For example, after ten years in her compact premises, MacLennan is expanding by opening a production kitchen in Roeland Street to enhance her catering services, while Lemkus has transformed a food kiosk outside his store into Jack’s Burgers.
Investments in nearby developments, like the redevelopment of The Mutual Building and the impending Golden Acre project, indicate a momentum fostering growth within the CBD. ‘We wanted to contribute to this momentum,’ said Lemkus, acknowledging the bustling energy that surrounds the area.
Integral to this thriving environment is the role played by the CCID in maintaining a secure, clean, and appealing city centre.
‘They’re a supportive and safe presence for my business, my employees, and my customers,’ MacLennan asserted, while Lemkus echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the CCID ensures clean streets and responsive urban management, allowing businesses to focus on meaningful experiences for customers.
With optimism running high and reflected in the CCID’s index, the Cape Town CBD is positioned for an exciting year ahead, with entrepreneurs ready to harness the stable business environment to thrive.
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