Supporting local business

About the concierge service 

If you're planning to open a new business, buy an established business, or grow or change your current business, our Business Concierge Service can help you navigate necessary permits and approvals.

Our concierge service can support applications that:

• need multiple permits
• are from first-time business owners
• facilitate buying an existing business

Meet with our concierge team and they will step you through the permits and approvals process, connect you with the local business association and share training and networking opportunities.

To find out more email our Business Concierge team or call 8290 3222.

The City of Stonnington supports local business in many ways. Marketing support is provided through our digital channels which include the web, social media and email. 

If you are a business or event located in Stonnington, there is the opportunity to be promoted throughout the year for free.

Learn more

Our See Opportunity action plan introduces 15 initiatives to attract new retail tenants, retain existing tenants, activate vacant tenancies and spaces and improve the shopper experience. 

Download See Opportunity - Growing Business Together(PDF, 762KB)

Renew Australia

City of Stonnington has engaged Renew Australia, a national social enterprise focused on community renewal and economic development, to undertake a study on Chapel Street between the High Street to Toorak Road section of the Chapel Street precinct.

Working with the Stonnington community, Renew Australia will conduct three surveys to collect feedback from three key stakeholder groups to understand if an appetite exists to participate in an activation project:

• Traders
• Property Owners and Representatives
• Creatives

Renew Australia works with property managers, owners and agents to activate vacant space with creative enterprises on a rent-free or low rent 30-day rolling license.

Renew Australia projects provide space for new and creative enterprises to trial an idea with minimal overheads in otherwise vacant space. This process not only provides visible creative space, it encourages and displays a new form of use in traditional main-streets and precincts that encourage community engagement and activity.

Renew Australia – Chapel Street Scoping Study was made possible with the support of the Inner South-east Metropolitan Partnership and funding from the Victorian Government.

To access the surveys please visit Renew Australia. Please email any questions you have regarding the surveys to susannah@renewaustralia.org.

See Opportunity Series

Our See Opportunity Series is all about turning dreams into a reality, no matter what business you're in. Talented producer and Channel 7 host, Emma Vosti, chats to the brains behind some of Australia’s brightest brands, to hear how they stay at the top in their market, and tips and tricks to succeed under the current COVID-19 restrictions.

Watch the complete video playlist on Youtube

Use the links below to unlock information that will help you better understand the businesses and demographics of the Stonnington area.

MyVictoria is a free tool from the Victorian government, combining 50 sets of open data. Search for a postcode, suburb, local government area or region and discover information on local businesses industries, building activity and government projects.

Economic profile provides an interactive understanding of Stonnington’s workforce characteristics, industry contributions, the role of the visitor economy and trends in the local economy.

Community profile is based on results from 2016 Census of Population and Housing. This profile is updated with population estimates when the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) releases new figures.

Our strategy

Our Economic Development Strategy outlines how we work with local businesses to support economic growth in Stonnington.

View Economic Development Strategy 2017-21(PDF, 3MB)

Precinct profiles

Each year, we visit over 1,000 ground floor businesses across our five major retail precincts. These visits provide us with information such as vacancies and changes to businesses which help us monitor trends and assist with strategic planning. This data is complemented by annual pedestrian counts to better understand the way precincts function.

The data collected has been translated into a profile for each of our major retail precincts:

Chapel Street(PDF, 90KB)  

Glenferrie Road(PDF, 90KB)

High Street(PDF, 85KB)

Toorak Road(PDF, 89KB)

Toorak Village(PDF, 85KB)

The Precinct Profiles is an initiative from our See Opportunity action plan.

We support the Australian Small Business Advisory Services Digital Solutions program to provide targeted mentoring and advice to help small businesses succeed and grow.

Small businesses with fewer than 20 full-time (or equivalent) employees, and sole traders, can access one-on-one sessions and group workshops at a subsidised price.

This service is a great opportunity to learn from experienced advisors who understand your business needs and can help you grow your digital capabilities. 

For more information visit the Australian Government's Australian Small Business Advisory Services web page.

Visit the Business Victoria's Small Business Bus web page to find out how you can access friendly, professional assistance and expert advice from an experienced business mentor.

The Australian Tax Office has free webinars specifically for small business, to help you understand your tax obligations, record keeping, cash flow and more.

Visit the Australian Tax Office to view the webinars online.

For all you need to know about managing a business in Victoria visit the Business Victoria website.

Five business associations operate within the city, supporting local businesses through event, marketing and promotional activities.

For information about your local business association visit our Business or Precinct Association page.