Victoria Street in Richmond is set for a fresh chapter, with a new revitalisation project launched to support its diverse small business community and draw more foot traffic to the area.
Minister for Small Business and Employment Natalie Suleyman visited Victoria Street today to mark the start of the project, which will focus on celebrating multicultural businesses, improving the street’s look and feel, and bringing local traders together through events and collaboration.
“This support from the Victorian Government is a game-changer for our traders,” said Victoria Street Business Association President Ha Nguyen. “It enables us to invest in the precinct, strengthen our business community, and showcase the unique stories that make Victoria Street so special.”
Backed by the Allan Labor Government, the initiative is being led by the Victoria Street Business Association, which represents nearly 300 local businesses, more than a third of them multicultural. The group will run a series of networking events and workshops aimed at sharing knowledge and encouraging partnerships among traders.
The street’s rich cultural history will be highlighted through marketing campaigns and events that feature the people and businesses that have shaped the precinct over time. The project will also trial shopfront greening and cleaning efforts to create a more inviting atmosphere for shoppers and help attract new businesses.
“Victoria Street has always been a symbol of our rich multicultural community and we’re proud to back local traders to keep it vibrant for generations to come,” Minister Suleyman said.
“By investing in projects like this, we’re supporting small and family businesses to grow, attract visitors and celebrate the cultural heritage that makes Victoria such a great state.”
The initiative is part of the government’s $17 million Supporting our Multicultural Traders and Precincts program, which aims to help business communities thrive by providing targeted support. As part of the broader investment, $1.6 million has been allocated to multicultural traders’ associations to deliver campaigns and events that promote their local areas.
The Victoria Street project builds on a long tradition of small business activity in Richmond, with the precinct often described as one of Melbourne’s most culturally dynamic strips. From Vietnamese restaurants to long-standing family shops, the area reflects decades of migrant contribution to Victoria’s economy and social life.
For more information on business support programs, visit business.vic.gov.au.
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