Rising visibility of retail theft and crime in and around our city and suburban shopping centres has prompted businesses to reach out to Council for support.
Two public meetings with Lower Hutt business owners facilitated by Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce discussed responses by Police, actions businesses can take and potential collective solutions.
$150,000 was approved by Council to fund safety interventions for retail and hospitality businesses.
About the Fund
The Business Safety Support Fund offers financial support to local businesses who want to increase the security and safety measures of their consumer-facing stores.
Council will fund the price of equipment, with a maximum of $2500 + GST per business.
To be considered for the fund, you must be a Lower Hutt based consumer-facing business (including retail, hospitality, and the service industry).
Funding Available
The Fund has $150,000 available to assist consumer-facing businesses with a Lower Hutt trading address purchase safety equipment.
The Fund is available until all funds are allocated.
What we will fund
You can apply for funding for equipment that will replace or improve a business’s current safety measures. Examples are:
- Security Mirrors
- Sirens
- Alarms
- On-site CCTV
- Fog Cannons
- Equipment to enhance store layout for safety purposes.
Due to the disproportionate harm, the aim of the Fund is to support smaller businesses across Lower Hutt . The Fund is open to all consumer-facing businesses with less than 15 paid employees.
If you have any questions around whether you are an eligible business, please email business@huttcity.govt.nz
What we won't fund
- Any applications for equipment purchased before Wednesday 7 August, 2024
- Staff training, advice or consultancy
- Building maintenance or business operational costs
- Fundraising or prizes
- Legal costs
How to apply
29/08/2024 Note: This fund has now been fully allocated. Applications are no longer being accepted. For more information on community safety for business please email business@huttcity.govt.nz.
What other support is available?
Council is offering FREE retailer safety training in partnership with First Retail Group and the NZ Police. These trainings are focused on preventing and managing the risks of crime in your business.
Find out more about Kia Haumaru Safer Centres Programme
NZ Police are visiting retailers who have been a victim of burglary or robbery to identify eligibility for crime prevention solutions through their Retail Crime Prevention Programme.
Find out more details about the NZ Police Retail Crime Prevention Hub
If you want to install bollards outside your business on public land, you will need to lodge an application for an Encroachment Licence through the Council Transport Team.
Contact the Council Transport Team
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Applications will only be accepted from consumer-facing businesses with a trading address Lower Hutt. Businesses outside of the area may be eligible for funding through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Fog cannon subsidy.
A quote is an offer from another business to do a job for a certain price. If you have any questions regarding what makes an acceptable quote, please contact us at business@huttcity.govt.nz
Council would prefer applicants utilise local Lower Hutt businesses and services. However, a local option may not always be the most suitable. For a list of local preferred suppliers, please contact us at business@huttcity.govt.nz
A consumer-facing business is a business that holds a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN), in which a customer can walk in and purchase an item or a service. If you are unsure whether you are in the category of a consumer-facing business, please contact us at business@huttcity.govt.nz
Council will only accept one application per business. Applications must align with the trading address of the business.
A single business owner may make applications for multiple sites, however Council will only fund the first application. Additional requests will be held on a waitlist until Tuesday 1 October 2024 and be considered if funding is not exhausted.
No, the Business Safety Support Fund is for equipment only. Council offers staff training and store safety support through Kia Haumaru Safer Centres Programme.
- We will let you know your application has been received.
- We will verify supplied information.
- We may be in contact for additional information or clarification.
- We anticipate the majority of applications will be resolved quickly, however some applications may take up to 20 working days.
If your application is successful, you need you to sign an agreement for the use of funds and share payment details.