Local shop owners are being offered $200,000 in cash grants to help boost the street appeal of their businesses and attract more customers as part of the Schrinner Council’s plan to help kick-start the Brisbane economy following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner revealed applications for the latest round of the $50,000 Suburban Shopfront Improvement Grants and the $160,000 Pop Up Shop program are now open.
“As part of the Suburban Shopfront grants, up to $5000 is available for owners, giving them the ability to access the funds needed to undertake a range of necessary improvements,” Cr Schrinner said.
“The grants offer owners a dollar-for-dollar matching basis for lighting, facades, murals and a range of other initiatives.”
Cr Schrinner is encouraging cafés, restaurants, retail, arts and other small business owners to apply for the grants and revealed his Council’s successful Pop-up Shop Program, trialled in 2020, would also return this year offering $160,000 in business support.
“Since opening Brisbane’s two business hubs, we’ve seen an influx of talented makers, creators and innovators looking to turn their online endeavors into bricks and mortar stores and that’s exactly what our Pop-up Shop Program is all about,” he said.
“This program is the perfect opportunity for those businesses wanting to test out sales in a physical store without a long-term commitment, and for property owners who may be struggling to fill empty spaces.
“This round, we’ve extended the grant eligibility to include the CBD and have doubled the grants available to both prospective landlords and tenants to $4000, which will incentivise shop owners to consider short-term opportunities as well as support businesses with the cost of overheads, a temporary fit-out, visual merchandising, marketing or insurance costs.”
“Suburban shopping strips are vital parts of local communities and many of them have done it tough during the pandemic because of lockdowns and restrictions,” he said.
“Our grants are aimed at helping owners improve the street appeal of their business to attract more customers.
“This initiative is part of our $58.3 million support package for Brisbane businesses impact by the pandemic and our ongoing commitment to being the most small business-friendly local government in the country.”
Leafy Theory owner Jovy Gilera used the program to successfully launch her first pop-up shop in Hamilton last year.
“We are very fortunate and grateful to have been involved and we’ve definitely seen an increase in sales since our pop-up shop launched,” she said.
“Having a bricks and mortar store has helped us to gain the trust of our customers and create a positive experience for them.”
Applications for both grant programs open on Wednesday 13 October.
For more information and to apply, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au.
Visit www.adrianschrinner.com.au/brisbane-news to keep up to date with what’s happening in Brisbane.
