Grants to brighten local shop fronts

Businesses in Beresfield and Carrington are primed for a makeover thanks to Newcastle City Council's façade improvement scheme.

Grants of up to $4,000 are up for grabs by property and business owners to complement the local centre works currently underway by Newcastle City Council.

"Our local centres are the heart of our community and we want to make sure these are vibrant places to live, work and play," said Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.

"We are overhauling the streets and footpaths, planting trees and gardens and installing new street furniture. Now we want the business community to think about their shop fronts and implement quick, low-cost projects that are really going to boost the commercial appeal of our local centres.

"Sometimes just a little bit of paint is all a business needs to freshen its look, and when several businesses follow suit it creates a trendy vibe that draws customers to the whole area."

"A total of $60,000 in grants is available across the two suburbs."

Upgrades must directly improve the impression of the building or shop front, such as:

• Painting store fronts and repairing damaged facades and awnings
• Improving the external view of the building by removing paint, posters or other coverings from doors and windows
• Adding new doors and windows to improve foot traffic flow and lighten the space and
• Installing under awning lighting connected to the building's electric supply to brighten at night.
• Creating painted murals or hoardings to activate and beautify vacant shop fronts

Applicants must contribute a minimum of one third of the improvements costs, which Council will match with the additional two thirds up to the maximum of $4,000 per grant.

Residents may also apply for the grant funding if they live within the local centre zone but must demonstrate how a residential project will benefit the overall presentation of the local centre.

Preference for funding will be given to applications for commercial properties and grants will be awarded based on merit.

Applications are open until 5pm Tuesday 2 October 2018. Download the application form or find out more on Council's website.

Below are some examples of facade improvement projects completed in Hunter Street, Newcastle - top image 50 Hunter Street, middle image 564 Hunter Street, and lower image 307 Hunter Street: