Business Facade Improvement Program Round 1

The Business Façade Improvement Program seeks to support local businesses by providing resources to enhance shopfronts including improve disability access. The Program provides one-off matching grant of up to $5,000 (GST exclusive) for eligible projects. Businesses must also contribute $5,000 of their own money to undertake works to their shop front. Funding for approved projects is paid directly to the applicant upon completion of façade works and on verification that the businesses has also expended the agreed amount for the works.

Council knows it is important for our high streets and villages to be visually appealing for residents and visitors as this contributes to the economy by creating a welcoming place for people to come, shop and play. To support businesses, uplift their business façade the Inner West Council is offering funding for local businesses who want to improve the appearance of their street level shopfront.

What types of projects can be funded?

Likelihood of success increases with the development of an approach that includes local creatives, and other general criteria include:

• Engaging local creatives to update the design of a façade, including muralists, artists and/or designers (as applicable to the property and proposed improvements)
• Installation of window decal designed by local artists to enhance visual appeal.
• Works that improve disability access in accordance with relevant building codes.
• Repairs to awnings or lighting that increase pedestrian and shopfront safety.
• Street level façade improvements (e.g. external painting, the reinstatement of heritage features, minor window works and new signage).
• Façade enhancements that are sensitive to character of the main street.

Adjoining businesses lodging a group application is encouraged

Council will not fund the following:

• Works already commenced or completed at the time of application.
• Routine maintenance or interior work (e.g. carpet cleaning, cleaning of gutters, cleaning of facades).
• Any work that would not improve the appearance, detail, fabric or finish of the premises.
• Any work that is not in keeping with of Council’s development controls, plans or policies.
• Any work that would preclude more worthy applications from being funded.

Eligibility is restricted to businesses within the Inner West LGA that are situated in a prominent main street shopping centre whose shopfront is well overdue for an uplift. Council officers will undertake a site visit as part of the assessment process. Eligibility includes businesses with:

• a long-term lease in place, or own their own property
• able to provide matching funding will be eligible to apply
• business owners and/or tenants (with owner’s consent) of each street level property that fronts a main street
• groups of businesses situated in close proximity to each other that are willing to share cost for works across multiple shopfronts.