Cash wishes granted in Subiaco

ROKEBY Road’s Lady of Ro is one of 12 local businesses in Subiaco receiving $3000 from the City to go towards a shopfront facelift.

The City’s annual Small Business Grant program was awarded to six businesses – two restaurants, three creative agencies and an architect firm.

Another six businesses, ranging from a jewellery retail store to beauty and hair salons, will also receive financial support to improve the physical appearance of their store or office, visual merchandising, or sales and marketing activities.

Each business owner will be matched with an industry specialist to develop an improvement plan and receive about $3000 to implement it.

Lady of Ro owner Paul Zammit said he planned to use the $3000 grant towards a $30,000 revamp of his restaurant to improve the outdoor dining area and encourage people to “linger longer”.

“An awning will help us through warmer and cooler months and we’re looking at extending either at the back or in the front if we can, which will allow for extra seating and tables at the front as well,” he said.

“We seat approximately 50 people – 120 on a busy night – but at the back we could add another 25 seats.

“At the moment we turn away 100 people Saturday and Friday night, so more seating would be great.”

The City received 72 applications for the grants, which Mayor Penny Taylor said was evidence that businesses were wanting to adapt in the current economic climate.

“We’re doing everything we can to keep good businesses in Subiaco and make our City a sought-after destination to attract new businesses,” she said.

“Business grants, free parking, free alfresco dining permits and our town centre events are some of the ways.”