Night-time diversification grants

Programming at night to encourage an increased variety of business offerings and activities in commercial precincts after 6pm.

Priority will be given to applicants who have not already received City of Sydney grant funding in 2020 including Covid-19 programs.

Projects can contribute to one or more of these outcomes:

• More diverse business offerings and programming at night
• Increase the quality and quantity of live music and performance programming

We will evaluate the success of projects funded under this grant using one or more of these measures:

• Number of nights a week the business trades to 10pm
• Number of activities/programs scheduled throughout the grant period
• Increase in turnover since extending trading hours
• Increase in customer base due to the activities supported by the grant.

As well as:

• evidence of the need, opportunity or demand for the activities
• capacity and experience of the applicant to undertake and promote the activities
• demonstrated secured partnerships if appropriate
• commitment, capacity and plans to continue the activities, if successful, without further support from us
• demonstrated understanding of how development consent and any other permits will be obtained if required
• a commitment to support any required safety or precinct amenity provisions such as lighting, security and cameras to ensure the activity is introduced in a safe and integrated way for patrons, employees and communities
• commitment and capacity to match the cash investment of the grant
• provision of required supporting documentation. See How to apply.

For comprehensive information, including definitions and other details, refer to the business support grant program in the grants and sponsorship program guidelines.

The program is open to not-for-profit organisations, for-profit businesses or sole traders operating in the City of Sydney local area.

The applicant needs to be a bricks and mortar business and can include licensed premises, performance venues, shops or professional services.

Applicants can be:

• a creative, retail, entertainment, tourism and accommodation or hospitality business
• land owners wanting to activate vacant space for creative or nightlife uses
• an arts/cultural operator.

• Business and organisations that don’t align with those listed in the eligibility criteria
• Projects located outside our local area
• Projects that directly contravene the eligibility and ethics framework or our existing policies
• Capital works or expenditure that exceeds $5,000
• Costs associated with business as usual activities, permanent employees or ongoing operational costs
• Purchase of buildings
• Relocation of business or routine maintenance
• Internal shop fittings including display shelves and painting
• Properties owned by employees of the City of Sydney or other government agencies
• Projects that rely on future recurrent funding.