Port Phillip Council is encouraging businesses to set up shop in vacant premises in its latest initiative to draw more residents and visitors to Acland Street.
The Acland Street Vacant Shop Project aims to fill between five to 10 vacant shops on this high-profile St Kilda high street by 30 June 2024.
Following a competitive Request for Quote call-out, Plan 1 and Ginnane & Associates have been appointed to deliver the project over the next 12 months.
They are working with the Acland Street Village Business Association (ASVBA), landlords, local stakeholders and operators to offer eligible tenants up to 12-month leases at below-market rates.
Plan 1 and Ginnane & Associates’ previous successes include delivering the vacant shopfront program in Melbourne’s CBD which resulted in some participants later signing long-term leases.
Mayor Heather Cunsolo said factors including the COVID-19 pandemic had contributed to high vacancy rates in Acland Street.
“We are looking forward to newcomers joining Council and traders as we enter a new era for Acland Street. Two exciting new shops are already on the verge of signing and we are looking forward to more applications arriving,” Cr Cunsolo said.
ASVBA President Janet Rosenberg traders were excited about the multi-faceted approach to reinvigorating Acland Street.
“Acland Street has always been a vibrant precinct we, as traders, are all very passionate about,” she said. “We welcome the vacant shops being filled with more fantastic shopping opportunities to complement what is already on offer.”
To be considered as an Acland Street Vacant Shopfront tenant go to: Acland Street Activation | Plan1 Project Management & Consultancy (plan1pmc.com)
Other Port Phillip Council initiatives for Acland Street include:
• a community consultation was held in November 2023 to inform a Retail Mix Mapping project for Acland Street. The consultation explored shopping behaviour at Acland Street and what kind of businesses shoppers would like added to the mix
• Colourful new lighting to be projected into the plaza to add vibrancy to the precinct
• progressing Council’s St Kilda Live Music Precinct, which includes Acland Street
• continued support for festivals and events
• plans to invigorate Acland Plaza and the surrounding area
• a parking audit to ensure adequate parking is provided and visitors can access parking easily
• regular local laws joint patrols with Victoria Police at Port Phillip locations including Acland Street
• daily street sweeping, manual litter removal, rapid response services, waste collections and spot high-pressure cleaning, including on public holidays. Waste collection is increased over the summer.
