Council expands business support service
The City of Melbourne’s increased investment in its Business Concierge program has yielded strong results, with the number of businesses within the municipality doubling over the past year.
As part of its 2024–25 Budget, the council allocated $1.6 million to expand the program, allowing the team, for the first time since the program launched in 2018, to venture out to businesses in neighbourhoods other than the CBD.
The number of businesses within the city increased from 53 to 110 in 2024, and the program has assisted hundreds of traders in halving the time it previously took to open a business.
The concierge team is dedicated to providing support and advice on how to start or grow a business within the city by offering free expert advice both in person and over the phone.
“We’re pulling out all stops to make it easier than ever to open and run a business in the city,” Lord Mayor Nick Reece said.
“Business Concierge now has boots on the ground in every corner of our city – from the waterfront hospitality in Docklands to the Italian delicatessens in Carlton.”
Since the expansion in September, additional team members have been engaging face-to-face with business owners in neighbourhoods twice a week, resulting in more than 950 interactions.
The team has also contributed to a consistent drop in shopfront vacancy rates across the city, falling to 9.6 per cent in November 2024 from 31 per cent in November 2021.
“Local traders are the beating heart of our city, and our team is here to ensure traders get the support and help they need to thrive and grow,” the council’s city economy and business portfolio head Cr Kevin Louey said.
“Over the next two years, it’s expected to support more than 1000 new jobs and generate over $50 million in capital expenditure.”
In addition to face-to-face support, Business Concierge offers bookable one-on-one sessions at City of Melbourne libraries, workshops on industry-specific topics, and tailored advice in more than seven languages.

Council expands business support service
