Fresh facelift for Mall facades

ALTHOUGH the Bridge Mall is opening to traffic, City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Moloney said that’s not “going to solve” all problems for the polarising shopping strip.

Part of the Mall’s $15 million funding allocation will include $400,000 for shopfront and façade restoration.

“Many of the buildings throughout the Bridge Mall are beautiful and old,” he said.

“If traders come to us with an idea to rejuvenate their heritage buildings, repaint or up-light them, we will match the funding from traders themselves, dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000.

“This will bring to life a lot of the old buildings here. It’s not just about the flow of traffic, but to give people a whole range of different reasons to come down here to eat, to drink, to shop, and just have fun.”

Homewares store, Wen and Ware has been in the Bridge Mall for almost 20 years and owner, Wendy McLachlan has plans to make some cosmetic changes.

“With the funding available, as landowners, we can do up our shops in heritage colours which will look lovely,” she said.

“I own the older building next to Wen and Ware and I’m looking at doing heritage painting and up-lighting to accentuate it. It could be wonderful.

“During the day, the Mall is a beautiful, busy space outside with the trees. It’s a very exciting time here, with this initiative… so we can invest in our buildings for the future.”

The City of Ballarat hope the grants will “be a carrot” to encourage the non-compulsory improvements.