Small Business Shopfront Improvement Grants

The Small Business Shopfront Improvement Grants provide matched funding to eligible small businesses, property owners, commercial tenants and business operators to improve the external presentation and functionality of commercial premises within eligible locations in the City of Armadale.

The program supports improvements that enhance commercial areas, encourage activation, increase visitation and vibrancy, improve customer experience and support business growth and private investment.

• The City will fund up to 50% of eligible project costs on a dollar-for-dollar matched funding basis, capped at $5,000 (excluding GST).

• Applicants must contribute at least 50% of eligible project costs.

• Applicants may contribute more than the minimum amount at their own expense.

• Funding is generally provided on a reimbursement basis after the approved works are completed and all required documentation has been submitted and verified.

• Only eligible project costs will be considered when calculating the grant payment.

For the purposes of the program, an eligible small business must:

• Be actively operating for profit;

• Be privately and independently owned;

• Not be a public company or government agency; and

• Employ fewer than 20 full-time equivalent employees.

Eligible applicants may be a property owner, commercial tenant or business owner/operator of a brick-and-mortar commercial premises within an Eligible Location. Applicants must also meet the eligibility requirements set out in the Program Guidelines, including having legal authority to undertake the works and providing written property owner consent where the premises are leased.

Where the premises are leased, the applicant must hold a registered lease with a remaining term sufficient to support the ongoing benefit of the proposed improvements.

The program applies to commercial premises within the Armadale City Centre and Kelmscott District Centre. Applicants should refer to the maps in the Program Guidelines to confirm whether their property is within an Eligible Location.

Properties on adjoining or directly connected streets may also be considered where the City determines that the project will contribute to the presentation, activation or functionality of the surrounding precinct or activity centre.

Small Business Shopfront Improvements Grants - Armadale Map

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Small Business Shopfront Improvements Grants - Kelmscott Map

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Eligible works must be external and visible to the public and may include:

• Shopfront painting and façade upgrades;

• Installation or upgrade of signage;

• Awnings and canopies;

• External lighting;

• Alfresco seating and furniture;

• Landscaping, planter boxes and greening initiatives;

• Murals or public art visible from the street; and

• Relocation of air-conditioning units from shopfronts.

Other improvement works may be considered where they demonstrate a clear public benefit and align with the program objectives, including improved streetscape presentation, activation, vibrancy or customer experience.

Funding will not be provided for:

• Internal renovations or fit-outs;

• Equipment, stock or operational expenses such as salaries, rent or utilities;

• Routine maintenance that does not improve visual presentation;

• Works that commenced or were completed before written grant approval;

• Temporary advertising or promotional materials;

• Improvements not visible from the public realm;

• Projects focused solely on security or surveillance measures;

• Residential premises;

• Works inconsistent with the objectives of the program;

• Projects or businesses considered by the City to pose a reputational risk;

• Projects inconsistent with the City’s values, strategic direction or community standards; or

• Projects that may result in unreasonable negative environmental impacts.

No. Proposed works must not commence before you receive written grant approval from the City. Retrospective works that have already commenced or been completed are not eligible for funding.

Yes. You are responsible for obtaining all statutory approvals required for the project before commencing works. Depending on the project, this may include planning approval, building permits and/or health approvals. Applicants are encouraged to contact the City’s Development Services team early to confirm requirements.

A Building Permit is generally required for:

• Structural alterations (new walls, doors, glazing, bulkheads, partitions, countertops)

• Façade upgrades (excluding painting and tiling)

• New or altered signage (unless it is exactly the same size and materials as existing signage)

• Awnings and canopies

• Fixed alfresco furniture, planter boxes, and dividing walls

• Raised planter boxes over 500mm high

For further enquires please contact Building Services on 9394 5458 or email building@armadale.wa.gov.au

Planning approval may be required for:

• Modifications to signage

• Painting/façade upgrades (if varying a previously approved colours and materials schedule)

• Landscaping modifications (if removing/replacing trees on a previously approved landscape plan)

• Alfresco areas 

Health approval may be required for:

• Alfresco areas 

• Relocation of air-conditioning units (if it has potential to cause noise nuisance)

Grant approval does not constitute or replace any development approval, building approval or other statutory approval required by law.

Applications must be submitted using the City’s online Application Form. Applicants should read the current Program Guidelines and the Additional Terms & Conditions in the Application Form before applying.

Applicants must provide:

• A completed Application Form, including a project description and scope of works;

• Site photographs;

• Formal quote(s) – a minimum of one quote is required and the City may request more;

• Concept plans or drawings, where applicable;

• Evidence of business operation, property ownership or tenancy, as applicable; and

• Property owner consent, where applicable.

Incomplete applications may not be assessed. The City may request additional information during the assessment process.

Applications are first reviewed against the program eligibility requirements and are then assessed against the following criteria:

• Shopfront presentation and streetscape impact;

• Activation and customer experience;

• Economic activity, visitation and vibrancy;

• Quality, durability and sustainability;

• Value for money and applicant investment; and

• Project readiness and deliverability.

The City may also consider strategic factors including alignment with program objectives and City priorities, available funding, project location, geographic distribution and broader program objectives. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding.

Assessment will generally take approximately 4–6 weeks, depending on the complexity of the application and whether further information or referrals are required. Applicants may be contacted during assessment for additional information or clarification.

Successful applicants will be required to:

• Enter into a Funding Agreement with the City;

• Obtain all required statutory approvals before commencing works;

• Complete the approved project within the agreed timeframe and in accordance with the approved Application and Funding Agreement;

• Provide the required acquittal and payment documentation after completion; and

• Allow the City to verify completion of the project.

The City may photograph completed works and use project information, photographs and outcomes for reporting, promotional and economic development purposes in accordance with the Funding Agreement.

Grant funding is generally paid on a reimbursement basis after the approved works have been completed. The City will calculate the amount payable based on eligible project expenditure supported by the required documentation, excluding GST when calculating the grant amount.

Applicants must provide the required documentation, including invoices/receipts and before and after photographs. Under the Funding Agreement, this documentation is generally due no later than 14 days after the approved Project Completion Date unless otherwise agreed in writing. Approved grant payments will generally be processed within 30 days of the City receiving all required acquittal documentation and verifying project completion.

Successful applicants will also be required to provide a tax invoice where applicable and any information needed to establish or verify their creditor record in the City’s financial management system.

The maximum grant is $5,000 excluding GST. Project quotes and expenditure evidence should show GST where applicable; however, any GST included in project expenditure is excluded when the City calculates the amount of grant funding payable. Applicants are responsible for any taxation implications associated with receiving grant funding.

Projects must be completed within six months from the date of written grant approval, unless another completion date is agreed with the City. Extensions may be considered in exceptional circumstances and must be requested in writing before the project end date.

No. Only one grant will be awarded per eligible business under the program. If you have more than one potential project, you should consider which project will deliver the strongest benefit and best align with the Program Guidelines.

No. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding. Applications are subject to assessment, available funding and the City’s strategic considerations. The City may approve, partially approve or decline an application.

Yes. The City may approve the full amount requested, approve a lower amount or fund only eligible components of a project. Any approved grant remains subject to the Funding Agreement and verification of eligible project expenditure.

Any changes to an approved project must be submitted in writing and approved by the City prior to implementation.

Unauthorised changes may affect funding eligibility.

No. Grant approval does not replace or remove any requirement to obtain planning approval, building permits, health approvals or any other statutory approval. Statutory approvals are considered separately on their own merits.

Any additional costs above the approved grant amount are the responsibility of the applicant unless otherwise agreed by the City in writing.

The final grant payment is based on verified eligible project expenditure and the matched funding requirements. If eligible project costs are lower than approved, the amount of grant funding payable may be reduced. Approval of a grant does not guarantee payment of the full approved amount.

• Clearly explain how the project will improve the shopfront and surrounding streetscape;

• Describe the benefits to activation, customer experience, visitation, vibrancy or economic activity;

• Provide clear photographs, plans or design concepts where relevant;

• Submit detailed and realistic quote(s);

• Demonstrate value for money and your financial commitment to the project;

• Describe the quality, durability and any sustainability benefits of the proposed improvements; and

• Ensure all required documentation is complete and submitted with the application.

For further information or to discuss your project, please contact:

City of Armadale – Economic Development Team

The City reserves the right to amend the program guidelines, eligibility requirements and funding availability at any time. Applicants should refer to the current Application Guidelines for full program details.