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Published on 27 May 2025
Caption: Sneek 'A' Peek Boutique was one of the businesses to benefit from the Shopfront Improvement Program in Stawell last year.
St Arnaud businesses can apply for help to improve the look of their shopfronts through a Northern Grampians Shire Council program.
Following the success of a pilot in Stawell last year, Shopfront Improvement Program leaders have turned their attention to St Arnaud in 2025.
Mayor Karen Hyslop said Main Street in Stawell looked far more vibrant following the program’s introduction and she looked forward to seeing the results in St Arnaud.
“Six businesses in St Arnaud will be selected to participate based on their needs and desire for improvement,” she said.
“Participants can receive help with professionally designed business branding, updated signs, visual merchandising for window displays and other general improvements, depending on their situation.
“Any business owners with shopfronts in St Arnaud’s retail precinct who are interested in improving the presentation of their business are invited to make an expression of interest.”
Pop Creative Collective will consult with the successful applicants, helping them develop and implement a beautification plan.
To kickstart the program, representatives of all St Arnaud businesses are invited to attend a visual merchandising workshop on Wednesday, June 11.
The workshop will be in the Perry Room, St Arnaud Town Hall, from 5.30pm to 7pm.
“Pop Creative Collective will run the workshop, which will include tips and tricks to help business owners and staff visually improve the look and feel of their businesses,” Cr Hyslop said.
“Following the workshop, we will open up expressions of interest to participate in the Shopfront Improvement Program.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for St Arnaud businesses and I encourage them to make the most of it.”
The workshop is open to all St Arnaud businesses, however the Shopfront Improvement Program is restricted to businesses in Napier Street and adjoining side streets.
The visual merchandising workshop is free of charge, but bookings are essential. Tickets are available via Eventbrite, here.
The council also offers a Small Business Support Program, providing business owners with access to experienced mentors.
“We’ve joined forces with Monarch Institute to provide free, one-on-one mentoring for our local business operators,” Cr Hyslop said.
“Small business operators in Northern Grampians Shire are eligible for two free sessions per financial year.”
People can click here for more information or to book.