The rent-free shops adding life to Wollongong's struggling Crown Street

But, through revitalisation project Renew Wollongong, a handful of landlords have managed to not only fill their empty properties, but have gone on to find permanent paying tenants.

The urban revival concept was pioneered by Renew Newcastle a decade ago, when creative tenants were given free, or cheap, access to commercial properties in the run-down main shopping strip.

It has since been rolled out across the country, and started in Wollongong at the beginning of the year.

Eight projects have so far taken part, with most going on to either sign a lease of their own, or make their rent-free shop attractive enough to secure paying tenants.

But, as Renew approaches the end of its first year in Wollongong, project manager Alice Henchion said the program urgently needed more property owners to sign up to increase its impact.

"The creative participants who have been in place have done some amazing things and I really couldn't be prouder of what they have done and the life they have brought in to the CBD area," Ms Henchion said.

"But since we've started, there are more empty properties."

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"We would just love more spaces to really make an impact in the mall - and now we've been around a year we're hoping to go back to show them how successful it has been."

Ms Henchion said Renew Wollongong had approached most property owners with vacant spaces, but said there had been some hesitancy to sign up, despite the growing vacancy rate.

"This is no extra work for landlords, it doesn't cost them anything, but they're not getting an income from it, and I think some people have a very different mentality," Ms Henchion said.

"Retail is changing, it's in flux and people have to get used to the idea that it's not business as usual anymore.

"Renew Wollongong is a really quick, activating project we can put in to make a difference in the meantime while shops are empty, which then makes the shops more attractive for everyone."

"These shops look creative and professional - and if we could get into that area to the west of the mall, where there's empty shop after empty shop, that would be great."

"It can only benefit the area is there is lots of fun, young, creative people and activities versus a dead building with dirty windows - because why would you lease a space surrounded by other empty spaces."

Wollongong City Council has funded Renew for another six months, after which the program will be reviewed.

For Primbee artist Libby Bloxham, it's bittersweet to see the "success" of her Renew Wollongong space - which has been leased out to a paying tenant just months after she moved in.

In September, Ms Bloxham moved in to the old Payless Shoes site on Crown Street Mall, bringing a dozen artisans and craftspeople into the shop with her to sell their wares.

But now, a victim of its own success, the Arts Eclectic collective will have to move out in January.

"We've been given our notice already," she said.

"I started this because I wanted to give a lot of creatives a chance, and it's been a great success.

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"It has given us all a chance to see if there is a market for our creative products - and it's also given me more confidence to maybe take on another retail project."

"It's added colour and culture to the mall, and we've had the chance to have an interesting conversation with all these people in the mall."

Renew Wollongong project manager Alice Henchion said Arts Eclectic was a good example of how the program worked.

"Our ultimate goal is that there's no empty shops - so maybe the participants sign a lease, but on a shop front in Crown Street Mall there is no way a group of creatives are going to be able to afford the rent there," she said.

"So the goal is that the shop is open and attractive for people to come and lease it out."

Another goal is that spaces which would otherwise sit empty are filled, adding life to the mall.

That's where projects like 3D Studios and the council's "creative container" come in.

At the former, four young men have joined forces to take out a rolling lease on a shop in Globe Lane, which was once known for its vibrant night life.

Artist Jedd Downes said the group's aim was to be able to test out their ideas to see what could become profitable and viable in a low-risk environment.

"It's been good and easy to see what works and what could be good for business," he said.

"I like the character of Globe Lane, and it's sad that there's no real culture in these alleyways, so hopefully we can add to that too."

Likewise, fashion designer Anna Stacey has relished the chance to be part of Renew. She is currently spending six weeks selling global wares - and her brand Stitch'd - at her fair trade market out of a shipping container in the lower mall.

"This is an absolute positive to try and reinvigorate the city centre," she said.

"The products are something you can't find elsewhere... and having the shipping container is great, because it looks creative and it's something people notice as they walk through the mall."

After six weeks, another creative project will take over the container.

"That gives people who might not otherwise have the chance to show their works in a space like that," she said,

"And it also makes you proud, because you can see that there's all this talent in Wollongong."

A collective of artists and other creative types who sell clothing, shoes, accessories, artworks, upcycled and vintage items.

The group moved in to the old Payless Shoes site, at 179 Crown Street Mall, in September and will move out in January to make way for commercial tenants.

The venture was started by Primbee artist Libby Bloxham, as a way for a group of Wollongong creatives to test out their wares.

Home to four creative young men, who sell art, make records, print merchandise, curate gallery spaces and turn their hands at various other artistic projects in their Globe Lane premises.

3D Studios opened in August and is on a 30 day rolling lease.

Artist Jedd Downes - known as Jedd Dimension - says the studio has helped to breath life back in to once vibrant Globe Lane.

The Wollongong City Council shipping container in lower Crown Street Mall has become a part of Renew in an effort to invigorate the quietest part of the strip.

Small enterprises or creative projects are given a six-week pop-up to show of their wares.

Right now, fashion designer Anna Stacey is running a fair trade market, offering clothes, jewelry and gifts from local artists and artisans all over the world.