Bass Coast businesses get $135,000 shopfront boost

BASS Coast Shire Council is pleased to contribute $63,000 worth of shopfront upgrades to 34 local businesses across the shire, to revamp our town centres by improving their appearance, attracting customers and increasing economic growth.

The Shopfront Improvement Rebate program grants up to $2000 to Bass Coast businesses to enable vital maintenance and modernisation, including new external signage, painting, minor repairs and lighting upgrades.

The program was established to assist businesses in renewing their physical locations by renovating the aesthetics of individual shops, to stimulate economic growth and enhance the attractiveness of our local commercial districts.

For the 2022 Shopfront Improvement Rebate round two program, Council received 55 high-quality applications from a wide range of businesses and services, located in eleven towns across the Shire.

From these, Council is funding $63, 000 of the 34 successful applicants upgrades, with participant businesses providing the remaining $72,000. These businesses add to round one’s program from 2021/2022, which led to 34 completed projects.

Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan, said the program will assist businesses and service providers in Bass Coast to brush up the appearance of their shopfronts and building facades – which benefits visitors and residents.

Cr. Whelan said that vibrant and attractive streets, shops and public spaces play an important role in creating prosperous town centres: “We want to do everything we can to bring people back to our towns: this makeover of our high streets is one important way Council can encourage their return. We rely so heavily on the visitor economy in Bass Coast, so it will be great to see these projects come to life, then witness the difference made to these businesses.”

Successful businesses include: Coronet Bay Pharmacy, Beach HQ, CCs Fish and Chips, Cowes Curry Club, Cowes Veterinary Surgery, It's a Sweet Thing, Brinnie T Design, Mod Eisley Cantina, Offshore Design Furniture & Homewares, Rusty Water Brewery Restaurant & Bar, Sambreros Tex Mex Cantina, Fortuna Noodles Express, Grantville Bakehouse, Maru Koala and Animal Park, Inverloch Animal Doc, Mookah, Gelato Al Mare, Bunurong Environment Centre, Sunni Rae Pty Ltd, Treat Time, Kilcunda General Store, The Ivy Plant Studio, The Seaside Provider, San Remo Fisherman's Co-op, Sanny Side, Sanny Social 157, A Garden of Thoughts, Bass Coast Embroidery and Printing, Building Surveying Services, DISKOUNT, Enter Hair, Fuller Life Australia, Illa May Clothing and The Coffee Collective.

For more information visit basscoast.vic.gov.au/shopfrontrebate.