Launceston’s winter pop-up, The Lounge, made a warm return to the CBD this week, transforming an empty city shopfront into a vibrant hub for community connection.
It’s designed as a welcoming space where anyone can drop in, escape the cold, and connect with others through music, art, creativity, and conversation.
Launceston Central will be hosting a ‘Welcome Back to The Lounge’ gathering on the afternoon of Friday 27 June, from 4-6pm, with live entertainment and light snacks.
Media statement from Launceston Central below.
The Lounge returns to bring warmth, connection and creativity to the city centre this winter
A beloved winter pop-up returns to the CBD this week, transforming an unoccupied city shopfront into a vibrant hub for community connection.
Presented by Launceston Central, ‘The Lounge’ opens on Monday 23 June, offering a free ‘third place’ in the city centre where
anyone can drop in, to take a break from the cold and connect with others through music, art, creativity, and conversation.
Popping up in a new location this year, at 111–113 St John Street, The Lounge is a welcoming environment with cosy seating, warm heaters, community art, books, toys, and instruments for impromptu jam sessions, and offers a diverse program of community-led drop-in activities along with scheduled ‘quiet hours’ for those seeking a calm, sensory-friendly space.
Project Lead Madi Biggelaar said the initiative was created in response to a rising community need for connection, especially in winter when isolation can hit hardest.
“We’ve designed The Lounge to be an inclusive and engaging space that encourages people to step out of their homes and into the city. Whether you want to join a jam session, play a board game, see some local art, or just sit quietly with a book, the choice is yours,” Ms Biggelaar said.
“It’s a space with no expectations – free to access and open to everyone – but we do encourage visitors to support local while you’re in the city. Grab a coffee or snack from one of our incredible nearby cafés and bring it in with you. Last year, we saw how The Lounge helped extend people’s time in town. It’s a small way we can support our local business during what can be a quiet time of year,” she said
Last year The Lounge welcomed more than 9,000 visitors and the organisers are hoping even more people will make use of the space this year.
“Last year, we saw how much the community embraced The Lounge. It became a place where people could just be and we’re excited to see it come to life again.”
This year, more than 18 local businesses and organisations have so far contributed to transforming the space into a cosy community living room.
“From Barrett’s Music, who are once again providing instruments for visitors to enjoy, to Winflo Curtains helping create a truly homely feel with rugs and drapes, the community response has been one of generosity and a shared belief in what The Lounge represents,” Ms Biggelaar said.
Expressions of interest are open to local musicians, artists, and community groups who’d like to contribute to The Lounge’s scheduled activity, whether through performances, exhibitions, conversations, or simply offering their time during opening hours to welcome people into the space.
The Lounge will be open Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm and Saturdays, 10am – 2pm, from Monday 23 June through to Saturday 16 August. Everyone is welcome to drop in and enjoy the space and a details of the community-led activities on offer will be shared regularly via Launceston Central’s social media channels.
To celebrate the return of this beloved community space, Launceston Central will be hosting a ‘Welcome Back to The Lounge’ gathering on the afternoon of Friday 27 June, from 4-6pm, with live entertainment and light snacks. And, as always in The Lounge, all are welcome.
Launceston Central would like to thank its many sponsors and supporters and acknowledges the ongoing support of partners behind the scenes who help bring this project to life each year.
For full program details and opening hours, visit www.launcestoncentral.com.au/winter/the-lounge
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