Wellington Shire Council will hold a series of inspirational workshops for business operators with one of Australia's foremost placemaking and town centre activation experts, Gilbert Rochecouste from Village Well.

These events are aimed at helping local businesses reset and re-energise with new ideas for 2022.

Mr Rochecouste will facilitate an online workshop 'Creating Thriving Small Towns' on Thursday 3 February, followed by face-to-face 'walkshops' in Sale and Maffra main streets on Thursday 10 February with Business and Tourism Associations and any other interested business owners in Wellington Shire.

Council has organised the events following visits by business chaplains late last year to provide wellbeing support in response to Covid-19.

"The feedback from businesses was that lockdowns, the changing rules around Covid-19, and shortages in staff and stock have left them exhausted," Wellington Shire Council Mayor Ian Bye said.

"This is continuing to affect the wellbeing of business owners so we hope these workshops will inspire them and help kick off the New Year with some creative ideas to work together and re-energise their business."

In the online workshop, Mr Rochecouste will cover topics such as creating a thriving destination and customer experience, quick wins to put your town on the map and the art of branding and visual merchandising. It will be held on Thursday 3 February from 7.30am to 8.45am. To register visit www.wellingtonvic.eventbrite.com  

The town centre audit 'walkshops' will run on Thursday 10 February at 9.30am in Sale and at 1.00pm in Maffra. They will be followed by a speaker series and Q and A at The Wedge in Sale from 3.00pm. To RSVP for the 'walkshops' email rachelw@wellington.vic.gov.au

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