Sidewalk sale
Kyabram’s Allan Street precinct will come alive on Friday and Saturday as relaxed COVID trading conditions allow businesses to “take it to the street” for the November 5–6 Kyabram First Sidewalk Sale.
Bron, Kellie and Tess, from Open House, will be among the traders showing their wares in the annual event, which usually coincides with the Kyabram Country Music Festival. The music event has been cancelled, like so many other events, for
2021. However, the sidewalk sale is expected to draw a big crowd, as many businesses choose to support the Chamber of Commerce-inspired concept.
Kyabram businesses are planning an “unmasked” celebration of the state as they pour onto Allan St for this weekend’s Sidewalk Sale.
Masks will no longer be required outdoors and while all businesses will be following the COVID-SAFE guidelines, it will be one of the first opportunities people have had to smile at one another — without some sort of barrier between the gesture and the recipient.
Not only will there be great savings, but the community interaction will signal a start to what should be the busiest time of the year for many of the town’s Allan St retailers.
Kyabram Chamber of Commerce, along with the
Free Press, are encouraging people to make the November 5 and 6 event a starting point for their Christmas shopping.
The event begins at 9am on Friday, continuing until 5pm, then restarts the following morning for three hours from 9am.
The Support Local-shop Local theme behind the event is designed to give the town’s retailers a sling shot into the festive season.
Businesses in Kyabram also had encouraging news from the state government last week when 7000 vouchers were offered to help businesses pay for the hire and purchase of furniture and equipment for the Victorian Outdoor Economy Package.
About 1400 of the $2000 vouchers have been set aside for regional businesses.
Community organisations, not-for-profits, charities and trader associations are also able to apply for the funding.
Marquees, umbrellas, screens, insurance and the promotion of outdoor operations will be accepted as part of the application process.
Restaurants, bars, cafés and hotels are eligible to apply for the vouchers, along with hairdressers, beauty services, dance studios, gyms and retail shops.
Applicants must provide a plan detailing how they will move their business activities outdoors and provide proof that the voucher payment has been spent on eligible items within three months.
Campaspe Shire Council has received $300,000 in government support through the same program to improve streetscapes and enhance outdoor business opportunities for the shire’s entrepreneurs.
Nothing has been forthcoming from the council in regards to where the funds will be spent, but business groups within the region are already signalling in interest in presenting submissions for a share of the significant grant.