A new Ipswich City Council funding program, Welcome to Ipswich Central, is designed to financially support retail, arts, creative, food or hospitality businesses to set up in a shopfront in Ipswich Central.
Economic and Cultural Development Committee Chairperson Councillor Pye Augustine said the program supports council’s vision of Ipswich Central being the cultural hub and beating heart of the Ipswich community.
“The addition of more businesses in Ipswich Central will boost economic activity and help create a revitalised city centre,” Cr Augustine said.
“The program will increase the number of unique businesses in Ipswich Central, provide an opportunity for a small business to scale up and transition to a shopfront, and help provide a diverse offering in Ipswich Central for residents and visitors.
“Having more businesses open outside 9-5, will bring more choice for the community, allow people to explore both day and night.
Division 3 Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said the program allows for funding up to $4,000 (excluding GST), which will be reimbursed to successful applicants who have set up a new business in a bricks and mortar shopfront in Ipswich Central.
“The funding can be used for physical changes to the premises, such as shop fit out, painting, lighting, fixtures, furniture and equipment, including visual merchandising, and for point-of-sale systems,” Cr Antoniolli said.
Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle said the funding was available once per business, per premises, per year through the program, with the total pool capped at $20,000.
“This is an exciting opportunity for any business owner in the eligible Ipswich Central area, which takes in parts of West Ipswich, North Ipswich, East Ipswich and up to the Ipswich Showgrounds.
We are specifically looking for businesses in the retail, hospitality or food, arts, and creative industries, that are prepared to open day and night,” Cr Doyle said.
“It will be perfect timing with the opening of HOYTS Cinemas, Hotel Commonwealth and General Public in Nicholas Street Precinct later this year.”
Applications for the Welcome to Ipswich Central program are now open. To apply visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au/funding