Pretty vacant, but not for long

Frankston Council has embarked on a plan to fill vacant shopfronts with creative pop-up businesses. More than one in 10 shopfronts in the city centre is vacant, which the council says can lead to decreased foot traffic and affect existing businesses.  So it wants to hear from community groups, artists, home business operators and creatives keen to get involved in the program by filling vacant shops on a short-term basis.

The council has secured several properties and is working with property owners to secure more through short-term licence agreements. The successful applicants will get rent-free use of the shop but will be required to cover the costs of outgoings, and some properties may require licensees to supply a small bond.

To be successful, applicants will be required to have public liability insurance cover for at least $10 million but they can still submit an expression of interest if they don’t have cover.  The council is exploring options that may enable those without insurance to be shortlisted in the future.

Anyone can apply to fill a vacant shop, and the council will determine the suitability of applications which, because limited spaces are available, will go through a competitive assessment process. 

Go to frankston.vic.gov.au/Business/Other_Business_Programs/Space_Innovators for more details.