24 May, 2015

Help Your Business Stand Out From The Crowd

City of Adelaide is calling on city businesses and property owners to apply for an exciting new grant of up to $6,000 to upgrade their shopfronts.

The Shopfront Improvement Grant Program has been developed by City of Adelaide to support innovative and unique projects that attract customers, and contribute to a welcoming and interesting city experience.

City businesses and property owners located on one of a number of nominated streets can apply for funding to cover up to half of the cost of shopfront improvements.

The first pilot grant program covers a number of key retail streets in the city including King William, Hindley, Hutt, Melbourne, O’Connell and Rundle Streets, as well as Gawler Place.

As a small business owner, Deputy Lord Mayor, Houssam Abiad, is a big supporter of the Council’s new program.

“I know that so many small business operators would love to upgrade their shopfronts but ensuring their business is profitable and getting the bills paid is always the priority,” Houssam said.

“But, under this program, city businesses now have an opportunity to act on those great ideas that they may have been putting off.”

Manager of Council’s City Design & Transport Program, Daniel Bennett, said that imaginative and original shopfronts are good for business and great for our streets.

“An interesting shop frontage helps a business stand out from the crowd, attracts customers and makes the City a more enjoyable place to visit,” Daniel said.

“If you’ve been thinking about refreshing your shopfront or adding greening elements such as planting vines and green walls, it’s an ideal time to put your great ideas into action.

“Council will accept applications from eligible applicants for a range of potential improvements – and the more creative and innovative the proposals, the better.”

The 2015 Shopfront Improvement Grant Program opens today and applications will be assessed as they are received. Grants range from $1,000 to $6,000 and the program will run until the allocated funds are committed.

Further information:

Eligible works include repainting external façades, adding greening, feature lighting and interesting frontage textures and approaches – or any other visual elements that enhance the street appeal of a building at street level.

Shopfront Improvement Grants are also available to help fund the removal of clutter like security roller shutters, unused signage and fixed outdoor dining furniture and replacement with more attractive alternatives.

If a business owner thinks their shopfront can be improved in other ways, Council is willing to discuss their ideas.

Enhancements above the street level, routine maintenance or cleaning, internal shop fit-outs and fixed elements like outdoor dining furniture and planter boxes are not covered by the Grant Program.

Further information about the pilot Shopfront Improvement Grant Program, including details on eligibility criteria and how to submit an application are available at: cityofadelaide.com.au/shopfronts

Matt Halliwell