A pop-up retail space in Ettalong will be available for local creators to showcase their works as part of Central Coast Council’s plan to boost local tourism in the area.
Council’s inaugural Blank Canvas campaign is set to give small business owners the opportunity to take over the space in April and sell their works directly to locals and visitors.
The project, which has been fully funded through the Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery grants program, will feature four one-week takeovers by the creatives.
Council said Blank Canvas aims to showcase the depth and breadth of the Central Coast’s makers, drive local and intrastate visitation and encourage resident and visitor dispersal and mid-week visitation.
Successful participants in the month-long program will receive one week of free rental space of a commercially located shop front, including electricity and water usage, exposure to visitors from across the State, and promotion of the store through Council-owned channels.
To be eligible to apply, participants must reside and make or create their own products on the Coast, must already have a permanent physical shop front, and must be able to dress, stock and adequately manage a COVID-safe retail space.
Creators must also be able to sell their own products with their own ecommerce facilities, provide documentation on insurance and safety plans, have their own social media presence, and be able to promote the business via digital channels.
Applicants have until Wednesday, February 17, to submit their application for the program.
Successful applicants will be notified from February 22, with further details to be shared in March on the location of the pop-up store.
More information on the Blank Canvas initiative can be found on Central Coast Council’s website.
Source:
Media statement, Feb 5
Central Coast Council