The appearance of our town, our businesses and the surrounding streets create a powerful first impression of the hinterland gateway of the Sunshine Coast.
The Nambour Shopfront Improvement Program has now completed and closed for applications.
What is the Shopfront Improvement Program
The Nambour Shopfront Improvement Program has been established to assist business owners with the cost of upgrading the aesthetic, vibrancy, and attractiveness of shop fronts to encourage retail activation and engagement.
As a dedicated Gateway Precinct, Sunshine Coast Council is committed to ensuring the Nambour business district welcomes visitors with attractive commercial streetscapes.
Providing welcoming and interactive facades can increase footfall and patronage by amplifying the visual and physical connection with customers.
Businesses can apply for funding to support shopfront improvements through a Council contribution. Council will support matched funding up to a maximum contribution of $5,000.
Businesses are encouraged to develop improvement ideas that:
- Enhance the presentation of a building or business.
- Contribute to amenity and a more interesting and exciting street experience.
- Make a creative or unique contribution to the streetscape.
What is a Shopfront?
For the purpose of the Shopfront Improvement Incentive Program, a shopfront is a physical business premises within the CBD area that is on the street level, usually contains display windows and is open to and trades with consumers from those premises.
The applicant must have customers who come to the shopfront in order to purchase goods or services. Examples of on-street shopfronts include, but are not limited to, a café, restaurant, retail store, art gallery, healthcare or service provider, which can be accessed from a street or laneway.
What Type of Improvements can be made?
Assistance towards costs is available for long-term, street-level improvements to your shopfront. These can include:
- Repainting of external shop frontage
- Improvements to advertising signage if part of a broader shopfront enhancement project
- Adding external materials and treatments that provide attractive detail, such as texture or tiling
- Improving accessibility for all users
- Adding greening elements such as planting vines, green walls or window boxes
- Improvements to frontages to interact with the street, such as the addition of folding windows
- Removal of security shutters and replacement with glass or security glazing
- Improvements to under awnings
- Removal of fixed outdoor dining furniture (including planter boxes) and replacement with non‐fixed furniture
- Internal and external display lighting.
The Shopfront Improvement assistance is not available for:
- Improvements that have already commenced or completed
- Routine maintenance or cleaning
- Standalone advertising signage improvements
- Fixed planter boxes or furniture
- Purchase of buildings or property extensions
- Business relocation
- Internal shop fittings including display shelves and painting
- Staffing or operational costs
- Development Application or other statutory fees
We Welcome Your Ideas
If you think your shopfront can be improved in other ways, call us to discuss your ideas.
We would also welcome proposals where a number of nearby businesses would like to collaborate to enhance collective street appeal.
Who Can Apply?
Under the Nambour Shopfront Improvement Program, businesses located in the Nambour town centre areas will be considered.
Properties owned or managed by Sunshine Coast Council or a State or Federal Government agency are not eligible to receive assistance under this Program.
Council procurement policies will be applied to any costs met by Council.
When can I Apply?
The Nambour Shopfront Improvement Program opens May 2023 with ongoing assessments until the budget is expended.
What is the Application Process?
Note: Council may contact you following receipt of your application to discuss the project or to request additional information. If your proposed improvement requires Development Approval you will be asked to submit a Development Application (fees apply). Applications are assessed on their merits and there is no guarantee that Council approve a contribution towards the costs of your project.
Submitting Your Application
Please submit the completed application form and supporting documentation online via the following form.
For additional information please contact:
Jemma Slater | Project Officer – Place Activation
Mobile: 0458 407 211
Email: jemma.slater@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
