City of Perth cash splash to reinvigorate Northbridge and CBD with 11 venues set to receive $25k for upgrades

Northbridge is set for a touch of Spanish flair thanks to a City of Perth cash splash.

The Spaniard is one of 11 venues to share in $270,000 worth of business improvement grants from the City, approved at Tuesday’s council meeting.

It comes a month after The Spaniard relocated from its former Wolf Lane home to the more visible James Street.

Owner Ben Vergone said the $25,000 grant would enable the venue to revamp its alfresco area and “bring a little more life to the space”.

“We’re hoping to bring a bit of Spanish culture and flair to the strip,” he said.

Mr Vergone said he planned to make the area more inviting and hoped to host events with flamenco dancing.

Other venues to receive a $25,000 grant were the planned Alibi Lounge also on James Street, Arrival Hall for a courtyard renovation, Phat Brew Club on Railway Street to open a coffee shop, The Standard to create a front outdoor dining area and Le Vietnam to expand within the Bon Marche Arcade.

A further five grants were approved by the council thanks to an alternative motion put forward by Mayor Basil Zempilas.

“As acknowledged in the report by administration, there are applications which had strong merit that were declined due to the budget constraints of this grant program,” Mr Zempilas said.

“They will contribute to an active, vibrant, safe city that is thriving and open for business.”

The motion saw $100,000 transferred from the City’s lighting grant program and $20,000 from the small business grants budget to enable the additional funds.