Growing Precincts Together – Business Network Support
Update from the Business Engagement team, Economic Development
Brisbane City Council is committed to supporting Brisbane’s Precincts and providing information to assist Our Stones Corner Business Group. As part of that support, we are providing details of initiatives, helpful tips and upcoming business events for you to share with your precinct network.
Streamlined venues and events processes
Council has improved how events and venues are regulated in Brisbane with a new local law that has reduced the regulatory burden on operators of entertainment venues including gyms, cinemas, and bowling alleys. It has also eliminated and radically reduced permit fees for hundreds of events and festivals to encourage free and affordable fun. For events there are now self-assessable permits, assessable permits and multi-year permits. If you are planning an event in your precinct, contact Council’s Festival and Events Liaison Officers on 133 BNE (133 263) for personalised advice and assistance about the requirements for your event.
Precinct Spotlight: Discover Racecourse Road
Trialling a different offer or experience now and then is a great way to reach new customers, for example cafes that usually open for breakfast and lunch can try pop-up themed dining events. Check out Frigg Café Ascot’s Big Fat Greek Feast and Petrichor & Co’s Mexican Night – just part of a range of events on offer from 12 September through to 17 October in Racecourse Road. As part of the Growing Precincts Together project, Council is proudly supporting businesses to try something different to showcase dining, beauty & fashion, wellness and family fun in the precinct. Visit Discover Racecourse Road to browse the full range of exclusive events on offer.
Google Business Profiles
Have you checked your Google Business Profile lately? It is something businesses often set and forget, but it is one of the first places new customers will find you. Make sure the Google Business Profiles in your precinct make a great first impression! Keep your profile up to date with current photos, opening hours, contact information, website and social media links. Businesses that respond to reviews, good and bad, show that they care about customer feedback. There is also functionality such as ‘offers’ that can be used for promotions.
Welcoming New Businesses
How does your precinct welcome new businesses? Posting on your precinct socials to welcome new businesses is an effective way to build community and connection with fellow businesses and customers. Perhaps your precinct group has a dedicated welcome plan, where established members reach out to new businesses to encourage them to be involved. A new business is wonderful news as that means a vacant premises has been filled, and there is more on offer to attract customers to your precinct.
Upcoming business events
Navigating small business grants
Wednesday, 13 September (9.30am – 11:30am)
Suburban Business Hub, 16 Aspinall St, Nundah
This workshop will cover where to find assistance, popular financial and non-financial programs, when government assistance may not be right and how to apply for grants and respond effectively to criteria.
Get your free ticket.
Improving your website’s user experience
Wednesday, 4 October (9.30am – 12 noon)
Suburban Business Hub, 16 Aspinall St, Nundah
Find out how to maximise your existing website, gain greater efficiency, increase lead generation and rate higher on Google. This workshop is suitable for e-commerce, professional style sites, online education platforms or infomercial style websites and will delve deeper into your current website with an aim to implement change in real time.
Get your free ticket.
Finding and Keeping Profitable Customers
Tuesday, 10 October (9.30am – 11am)
Brisbane Business Hub, 2/155 Queen Street, Brisbane
Join this panel discussion to learn about practical strategies for any business that wants to grow and nurture customers. Understand strategies to attract the right type of customers, simple retention strategies and how to influence customer behaviours and increase purchase frequency.
Get your free ticket.