CIVIC leaders have backed a new approach for the beleaguered Hargreaves Mall.

City of Greater Bendigo councillors last night supported a plan to revitalise the inner-city shopping strip.

Initial steps would include an investigation into the costs and options for activating the mall’s video screens, and the creation of a business improvement district.

Councillors also backed calls to consider more then $400,000 in funds for the mall in the forthcoming council budget.

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@BgoAddy Hargreaves mall copout. Council wrecked it, council fix it. Lack of leadershipand they don't even— Steve Gray (@toastiescafe) March 21, 2012

The business improvement district would include traders and council staff and oversee security, cleanliness, facilities, activities and entertainment, special events and promotion.

Cr James Reade said the community was crying out for improvements to the mall and it was time for the council to “make it right”.

He called on traders to do their part to ensure the precinct could thrive.

“It is our job to get people into the mall,” Cr Reade said.

“Then it is for the traders to spend some of their own money and initiative to get people into their shops.”

Councillors spoke of the need to either “use or lose” the mall’s screens.

Cr Barry Lyons said the council should remove the screens if it wasn’t able to screen video during the day.

“This has been a real saga. It has been going on and on and on and I think there is some light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

Cr Bruce Phillips said he considered the mall as a “boring and uninspiring public space” before he joined the council.

He said “the job (was) not finished” and improvements were crucial.

Council staff will use budgeted funds to host workshops with schools to determine a design for a play space and host community events, activities and entertainment.

Last night’s decision defers the bulk of spending to the forthcoming budget.

But Cr Peter Cox said the plan failed to cater for the needs the community was calling for, including shade.

He said the mall’s future rested on redevelopments of the Beehive building, Allan’s Walk and Myer.