Retail plays a key role in local employment and economic development in Merri-bek.

The below programs aim to provide support to retailers and shopping strips across Merri-bek.

MoreSpace

MoreSpace activates vacant shops in Merri-bek’s shopping strips by creating shoppable window displays using QR codes. This program supports local businesses and showcases stores available for lease.

The program has two primary goals:

1. To showcase each property as an attractive commercial opportunity.
2. To highlight local makers, creatives, small businesses, and entrepreneurs.
3. To improve the look and feel of our retail precincts.

• How can MoreSpace help me as a local business?

  MoreSpace aims to promote and celebrate Merri-bek artists, designers, makers, entrepreneurs and small businesses, who may not have a physical store. The program provides an opportunity to showcase your products/services in a shoppable window display.

• What are the benefits the MoreSpace program?
  • An opportunity to test your business with real consumers.
  • A chance to try out ideas, develop and grow, in a low risk environment.
  • A chance to test out a particular shopping precinct.
  • Reduced need for physical staffing when compared to a pop-up shop.
  • Promote Merri-bek Made products and a contactless retail experience.

  This opportunity will be open to businesses who don’t have a physical store, have a product/service that operates out of Merri-bek and will be available to assist in the set-up of their MoreSpace window if required.

• How you can get involved

  This opportunity will be open to businesses who don’t have a physical store and has a product or service that operates out of Merri-bek.

  If you are interested, you can register your interest by completing the form below.

  MoreSpace Expression of Interest

  Business Owner Full Name*

  Is your business based in Merri-bek?*

  Yes No

  *

  Business Name*

  Contact number

  Email address*

  Does your business have an online store for people to shop your products/services?*

  Yes No

  *

  Website URL*

  Please tell us about your business and products/services you'd like to showcase* *

  Please provide a short description of your product or business for the public (50-100 words)* *

  Do you have proof of insurance(s) for your business and products/services?*

  Yes No

  *

  Any other information? *

  Submit
• I am a Real Estate Agent, what are the benefits for me?

  MoreSpace aims to improve the look and feel of Merri-bek's retail precincts and to refresh shopfronts so that they become more appealing for lease.

  Benefits of this program:

  • Address issues such as graffiti, poor amenity, posters and vandalism, if necessary.
  • Reduce the number of vacant shops.
  • Draw attention to the property for lease and potential for promotion of the site

  What's required?

  • Access to the property - for installation and removal dates only.
  • Electricity for night time lighting if possible (but not essential).
  • Located in a shopping strip or retail precinct.

  Interested in supplying a window for the MoreSpace Program? Complete the form below.

• Additional information on MoreSpace
  • FAQs PDF
  • MoreSpace Guidelines

MoreSpace Expression of Interest

Business Owner Full Name*

Is your business based in Merri-bek?**

Yes No

*

Business name*

Contact number

Email*

Does your business have an online store for people to shop your products/services?**

Yes No

*

Website URL*

Please tell us about your business and products/services you'd like to showcase* *

Please provide a short description of your product or business for the public (50-100 words)* *

Do you have proof of insurance(s) for your business and products/services?*

Yes No

*

Any other information? *

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Shopping Strip Renewal Program

Our Shopping Strip Renewal Program aims to increase business activity across the municipality by improving strips with new footpaths, lighting, trees, street furniture, public art, and better parking within our local shopping strips.

While the shopping strip is being upgraded, we work with the traders to:

• revitalise their shopfront through the Love Your Shopfront Program
• provide business support and mentoring through the Digital Business Support Program

Retail shopping precincts

Merri-bek's retail precincts boast a diverse range of shopping options, cafes, restaurants, professional and personal services. Discover one of our shopping precincts by exploring our Love Merri-bek map.

Brunswick

Brunswick retail shopping precincts include:

• Sydney Road Brunswick - you can find out more about the Sydney Road Brunswick shopping precinct on the Sydney Road website.
  
  

  Find out more about Council’s Notice of Intention to Declare a Special Charge Scheme for the Sydney Road Brunswick Shopping Precinct 2023-2028.  Any written submissions must be received by Council no later than 5pm on Monday 6 March 2023.

• Lygon Street Shopping Precinct Brunswick East
• Grantham/Union Street Brunswick West
• Melville/Moreland Road Brunswick West
• Melville/Albion Road Brunswick West

Coburg

Coburg retail shopping precincts include:

• Coburg Shopping Precinct - Sydney Road Coburg. You can find out more about the precinct on the Central Coburg website.
• Merlynston Station Coburg North
• Gaffney/Sussex Street Coburg North
• Moreland Road/Nicholson Street Coburg
• Coburg Hill Coburg North - Elizabeth Street Coburg
• Bell Street/Melville Road Coburg North

Oak Park

Oak Park retail shopping precincts include:

• Snell Grove Oak Park

Fawkner

Fawkner retail shopping precincts include:

• Bonwick Street Fawkner - you can watch a video about the Bonwick Street Fawkner shopping precinct on the Merri-bek City Council Youtube channel.

Glenroy

Glenroy retail shopping precincts include:

• Glenroy Shopping Precinct - Pascoe Vale Roads and Wheatsheaf Road. You can find out more about the Glenroy Shopping Precinct on the Enjoy Glenroy website.

Hadfield

Hadfield retail shopping precincts include:

• West Street Hadfield - you can watch a video about the West Street Hadfield shopping precinct on the Merri-bek City Council Youtube channel.

Pascoe Vale

Pascoe Vale retail shopping precincts include:

• Gaffney Street/Pascoe Vale Station

• Additional Resources and Tools for retailers
  1. Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for retail stores and retail service businesses within Victoria.
     Retail trade sector guidance | Coronavirus Victoria
     
     
  2. Support for tenants and landlords in response to coronavirus (COVID-19).
     FAQs | Victorian Small Business Commission (vsbc.vic.gov.au)
     
     
  3. Retail Leases - What you need to know and dispute resolution.
     The Victoria Small Business Commissioner (VSBC) is a State Government organisation set up to provide information and guidelines to tenants and landlords on retail leasing and commercial disputes. The VSBC can assist retail tenants with low cost mediation in retail tenancy matters.
     Retail Leases Information Brochure
     
     
  4. Find information on preventing workplace injuries in retail trade.
     WorkSafe Victoria - Home - WorkSafe
     
     
  5. Mainstreet Australia - provides a forum for information exchange, networking and professional development for the people, businesses and projects in Australia’s traditional main streets and town centres.
     
     
  6. Australian Retailers Association: The ARA is a community of Australia’s top retailers, working together to create a united voice for the industry to facilitate growth and meaningful change.

   

Love Sydney Road

Love Sydney Road is a program to clean up and beautify an iconic part of Merri-bek - the Sydney Road shopping strip from Brunswick Road, Brunswick to Bell Street, Coburg.

Through Love Sydney Road, we are:

• Cleaning the street daily from Monday to Friday in the 4-kilometre Sydney Road shopping strip and in public spaces in Victoria Street Mall, Dunnes Lane and Page Street, Coburg, and Brunswick Mechanics Institute and Sparta Place, Brunswick.
• Removing graffiti from public infrastructure and buildings.
• Supporting local traders through help with shopfront improvements and more.
• Creating 2 new murals.

All while continuing our daily street sweeping, and our rubbish collection services.

Visit our Love Sydney Road page to stay up to date with the latest activities.