Northern Grampians Shire Council last week congratulated six businesses in Stawell’s Main Street that took up an opportunity to participate in its Shopfront Improvement Program.

Funded by council, the program was established to assist street-facing businesses on Main Street to improve vibrancy, stimulate economic growth and enhance the look and feel of the town.

The council engaged retail design consultants Pop Creative Collective to deliver the program.

The consultants worked with participating businesses to plan and implement strategies to enhance the presentation of their shopfronts. Collectively, the participating businesses – Ginger and Blonde, Gold Reef Clothing, Industry and Co, Mokepilly Café, Solace Skin and Body, and Sneek A Peek – saw outcomes including improved facades, new business logos and signage, window decals, and repairs to external post mouldings.

Sneek ‘A’ Peek Clothing Boutique owner Adrienne Preston said she felt ‘so lucky’ to participate in the program.

“When I bought the business, I created some signage, as a temporary measure. It was a rushed job, but it remained there,” she said.

“The people from Pop Creative came out, they had some great ideas, and they listened to what I wanted. They organised a logo and new signage in navy and white with a touch of pink, which was a nod to my mum who died of breast cancer.

“They did an amazing job. I can’t fault it.

“They added the words ‘clothing boutique’ to my name and now everyone knows what sort of business it is. 

“I am so stoked that on the long weekend I painted two walls to match the new logo. 

“Thank you to everyone involved from Northern Grampians Shire Council for your support.”

Participating businesses received a one-on-one professional design consultancy with Pop Creative Collective and up to $2000 towards the cost of approved shopfront improvements. The businesses then covered the remaining costs themselves.

“This is such a simple, yet powerful program,” Mayor Rob Haswell said.
“It was a really successful pilot and is expected to be available across the whole shire late 2024. 

“I am excited to see how eligible businesses utilised the program to bring some vibrancy to shop fronts.”

People can find information about future rounds of the Shopfront Improvement Program, along with other council initiatives, by subscribing to the council’s business e-news at ngsc.elementorg.com/business-e-news.

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