A youth social enterprise has taken over the old tourist information booth in Hobart’s Elizabeth Street Mall, breathing new life into a space that sat largely unused for more than two years.
Troublesmiths, run by Workskills Tasmania, was selected through a council expression of interest process to operate the central retail space.
The booth served as a satellite hub for the City of Hobart–run Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre from 2019, but the council suspended staffing in February 2024 after an incident in which a group of youths confronted a staff member with threatening and aggressive behaviour.
The City of Hobart explored six options for the booth’s future before settling on the expression of interest process, with the alternative being to decommission the structure entirely.
Troublesmiths’ Youth training lead Megan Denne said the booth was more than just a shopfront for them.
“Every purchase that’s made here and every interaction really helps young Tasmanians,” she said.
The organisation hand makes body products and homewares while offering life and career coaching to participants.
Denne said 75% of graduates go on to further training, study or employment.
“One of the biggest things that we hear back from our young people is belonging to something and having that sense of routine and community,” she said.
The booth will initially open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 3pm, with 12 young people in the current program.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said having Troublesmiths in the space was a win for everyone.
“[It] ticks so many boxes and it really activates this little hub by a group of really passionate people who really value the opportunity to engage with the community,” she said.
“That’s a win-win for everybody.”
Kari Imer, 19, joined Troublesmiths in February and completed the program before returning to help set up the new location.
“Coming into the program … I just was feeling really stuck with looking for work,” she said.
Imer said the experience helped her build confidence and she is now pursuing short courses in hospitality.
