The City of Sydney is currently offering Business Support Grants, which are aimed at fostering local economic development by supporting projects that promote commercial and retail precincts, build capacity in business operators, strengthen business networks, increase business offerings and activity at night.

There is funding available under three categories: Live music and performance; Night-time diversification; and Place and industry.

To help businesses understand how they can take advantage of these grants the City of Sydney is running a workshop this Wednesday evening, and Michael Rodrigues, Chair of the Night Time Industries Association is encouraging as many people as possible to register and head along to the workshop.

“The City of Sydney is hoping to get things started pursuant to its recently approved Late Night Trading Development Control Plan,” Rodrigues said.

“The ‘Map of Fun’ as we like to call it revises the planning requirements in a few parts of town to make things easier for businesses to extend their trading hours and to diversify their activities.

“In addition to the Map of Fun, the City’s also putting its hand into its pockets with extensive grant programs.

“The upshot is that there is stuff you could be doing to improve your fortunes, now. And this isn’t restricted to small business, big business or not-for-profits. There are opportunities for all. Got a major retail precinct where the tumbleweed density is greater than pedestrian foot-traffic? Got a retail business where you want to pour a glass of wine occasionally for a workshop-style event? Need soundproofing on your small bar? There are opportunities here that you might be able to seize.

“The thing is, you need to know about what’s on offer and how to go about getting that shot in the arm if you are eligible.”

The workshop is taking place at 5.30pm on Wednesday 3 July at Customs House (Barnett Room) and will help you understand how to navigate the processes for DCP planning approval or gaining one of the grants on offer. You will need to register for the workshop.

Andy Young

Andy joined Intermedia as Editor of The Shout in 2015, writing news on a daily basis and also writing features for National Liquor News. Now Managing Editor of both The Shout and Bars and Clubs.

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