Sydney’s first laneway small bar to open tomorrow night

3 December 2008

Sydney's very first small bar in a CBD laneway will open tomorrow night Thursday 4 December, and is recommended for the City of Sydney's first laneway funding grant.

"Enlivening laneways is part of our Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision to create a more vibrant city centre," said Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP.

If approved by Council on Monday 15 December, Small Bar Pty Ltd. will become the first recipient of a matched cash grant under the City's Laneways Business Development Program.

"We hope other small businesses will follow suit and help reactivate laneways and forgotten spaces in the city centre," said Ms Moore.

The merit based Laneways Business Development grant program provides matched cash funding, in addition to mentoring and training opportunities for new businesses wanting to set up in laneways.

Applications are assessed against the criteria and objectives of the City's Laneways Business Development Program, which aligns with the Laneways Revitalisation Strategy, The Economic Development Framework, The CBD Local Action Plan Strategy (LAPS) 2007-2010 and Sustainable Sydney 2030.

Small Bar Pty Ltd has already obtained Development Approval for the new business and if the grant is approved the money will be for plumbing and building repairs to 48 Erskine Street.  The business will trade onto Sussex Lane.

"The City's laneways hold enormous potential for people with innovative small businesses ideas to work with property owners to identify potential laneway spaces and create new attractions within them to draw in residents and visitors," said Ms Moore. 

"We're keen to hear from more small business entrepreneurs with small-scale, diverse and unique business ideas, particularly for undersupplied or non-existent products who want help in setting up in the finegrain of Sydney's city centre."

Media Contact: Leanne Lincoln (02) 9265 9910 or llincoln@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au