RMIT program helps inner city traders bounce back after pandemic shutdowns

Melbourne’s inner-city businesses suffered a massive blow during pandemic lockdowns, but a new program is helping traders to recover.

Yoga instructor Diane Curtis is benefiting from a RMIT and City of Melbourne program to help businesses deal with pandemic effects. Picture: Tony Gough

When yoga instructor Diane Curtis opened her Docklands business in February 2020, she had no idea that just one month later she would be forced to close due to the pandemic.

“Pre-COVID, my customers were all corporates, working in the Docklands,” she said.

“Since reopening, I have struggled to regain the numbers as a lot of people have not returned to their offices.”

Ms Curtis is among 21 small business operators in the inner city who are getting help to get back on track under a Roadmap to Recovery program run by RMIT University and City of Melbourne.

Yoga instructor Diane Curtis. Picture: Tony Gough

Director of RMIT Activator, Matt Salier, said the three-month program will provide traders with the innovative, entrepreneurial and agile skills needed to develop new market opportunities to re-engage with customers.

“Small businesses are telling us they need foot traffic to return,” he said.

“While this might be out of our control, we can help businesses identify, test and launch products and services that will set them up to withstand fluctuations in traditional retail and service models.” 

Ms Curtis, who runs The Wellness Union, said her new customers were not corporates, but Docklands residents.

“I also hope to run monthly urban retreats and draw in people from outside the CBD to visit our studio and practice a day of blissful yoga and meditation,” she said.

Publican Matt O’Kane and yoga instructor Diane Curtis. Picture: Tony Gough

Publican Matt O’Kane, from Coopers Inn at 282 Exhibition Street, said pandemic shutdowns had been devastating for his business, but there was light at the end of the tunnel.

“The Roadmap to Recovery course at RMIT is a great opportunity for me to revisit my sales and marketing plan and work with like minded business owners,” he said.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the program was part of a $10 million business support fund partnered with the state government.

“The City of Melbourne’s top priority is to support local businesses and get our economy thriving again,” she said.

Participants will work with industry experts and mentors to identify and test new market opportunities, develop new business strategies and learn about emerging technologies and trends.

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