Small businesses in St Albans will continue to go from strength to strength after multicultural traders and precincts in the suburb received crucial funding from the state government.
The St Albans Business Group Association, which represents close to 300 retail traders and organisations operating within the local town centre, has recently become a beneficiary of a $200,000 grant.
The funding will support the group to host the annual St Albans Lunar New Year Festival until 2027, as well as to deliver a week-long event as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival for the next two years, starting with St Albans Westside Wanders in March.
The association will also host engagement nights involving more than 120 traders over the next two years, with each event to include awards for traders.
St Albans Business Group Association president Sebastian Agricola said this financial assistance is “invaluable”.
“It is a huge boost for the St Albans town centre, empowering businesses to embrace digital media and host our inaugural business award,” she said.
Small Business and Employment Minister and St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman also welcomed the announcement, which she said ensures the longevity of St Albans’ flagship event.
“The St Albans Lunar New Year Festival has been an important community celebration for almost 30 years, and we are delighted to help it continue, celebrating the proud multicultural spirit of St Albans and supporting local businesses,” Ms Suleyman said.
Now in its 27th year, the St Albans Lunar events attract nearly 100,000 Victorians each year to celebrate the community’s diverse heritage.
Multicultural Affairs minister Ingrid Stitt said the event is a showcase of Southeast Asian culture and traditions, featuring rides, traditional food, music and entertainment.
“It is great to lock in the St Albans Lunar New Year Festival for another three years, the festival celebrates the community’s proud Asian culture and drives people to the area helping the local economy and multicultural businesses,” she said.
