Media Release

Kick Start Pop-up program launches in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth – applications now open.

St.George has today announced the launch of its Kick-Start Pop-Up initiative, which will allow a number of small business owners across the country to set up their business in a high-traffic retail space, funded by St.George.

The year-long commitment from St.George will see the retail spaces set-up in select Westfield shopping centres in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth during October and November. Further sites will be announced as the program builds momentum into 2015.  

The Pop-Up program adds to a range of Kick Start initiatives launched by St.George in the past 12 months, including the Kick Start Business Hub, a series of $10,000 grants to aspiring small business owners and an additional $2 billion allocated to small business lending.

Head of SME at St.George, Chris Screen commented on the importance of supporting the small business community to prosper and grow.  

“We’re encouraging Australia’s entrepreneurs to jump online and enter St.George’s new Kick Start Pop-Up initiative for their chance to win a retail space in one of Australia’s busiest shopping malls.

“We often hear from our customers that they are looking for ways to test their online business or start-up idea in a retail space, but don’t want to take the risk of setting up a long-term retail space. The Kick Start Pop-Up initiative is a perfect opportunity for those wanting to trial their business without investing in the set-up costs,” he said. 

 Each Pop-Up shop will include

• Exclusive use of a 3m x 5m pop-up shop in a high-traffic Westfield shopping centre for seven days – Parramatta in Sydney, Carousel in Perth and Carindale in Brisbane
• A fit-out for the pop-up shop including personalisation to the winner’s brand
• A marketing workshop with creative and strategy experts at GPJ  

Any small business that has been operating less than 36 months and doesn’t have a fixed retail space is welcome to apply. Applications for the first pop-up in Sydney close on 5th October.   

Further details on the entry criteria, pop-up locations, entry closing dates and the online application form are available at www.stgeorge.com.au/kickstart

Ends

For further information, please contact:

Mark Roberts – 02 9236 3521 or 0405 447 824
Fiona Macrae – 02 9236 2973 or 0412 693 182

St.George Banking Group is a Division of Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141