The proprietors of Rutherglen’s longest-running pub hope to transform the whole facade of the 150-year-old building as part of a grant program.
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Indigo Council has a pool of $15,000 to support business owners in Main Street keen to spend money on improving their shopfronts.
David Wilson, who took over The Victoria Hotel with wife Hannah two years ago, hopes to be successful in gaining funding.
“The building is started to date; we already had a proposal in to paint the facade when the flyers for the program came out,” he said.
“Realistically, ours is a major re-paint and we’re also doing signage.
“Our main benefit is through savings on planning costs and discounts with Haymes Paints.”
There are specific heritage guidelines relevant to the hotel – 19th Century colour schemes are limited to paler colours and strong accents.
Council’s economic development officer Karen Gardner, co-ordinating the grants program, said businesses would receive assistance in navigating these guidelines.
“Colour choices and the way the surface is treated needs to be carefully considered,” she said.
“It’s really encouraging businesses to spend money on their building, but giving them a hand as we recognise making changes to heritage buildings isn’t always easy.
“Applications close at the end of July and there will be an assessment process – it’s a competitive grant program.”
Grants of up to $1500 per property or $2500 for a two-storey building on a dollar-for-dollar basis are available.
Ms Gardner said the grants supported the Rutherglen revitalisation project.
“There’s a lot of works going on … I think mostly the shop owners are really looking forward to a refresh of the streetscape,” she said.
“Yes, some businesses have closed, but it’s great to see new businesses coming in.”
Mr Wilson said he was glad to see familiar faces at a workshop for the grants on Tuesday.
“Over the past two years, a lot of the businesses have have changed hands – there are younger families opening up and they’re working on their facades,” he said.
“Anything that moves the town forward is going to be a good thing.”