By Deanne Jeffers
SHEPPARTON’S Central Business District (CBD) is showing renewed confidence, with a growing number of long-vacant and underutilised buildings attracting new tenants and fresh investment.
A walk through the CBD reveals a wave of business activity, with once-empty shopfronts returning to productive use and contributing to the local economy.
Among the examples:
- Skechers, which is set to open July 16 in the former Telstra store in City Central Arcade on Maude Street.
- The 520m2 ground floor site of the Telstra building adjacent to the tower at 307-331 Wyndham Street, Shepparton, has a new tenant.
- Always Fresh has revitalised the former FruitWorks site on the corner of Corio and Stewart Streets and has recently expanded its offering with a new butchery.
- Parkers Grove, developer of the new Goldfields Estate, has established a new sales office in a previously vacant Wyndham Street shopfront.
- Sherridon Homes is expected to move into the former Albury Antiques premises on High Street — a large building that previously housed Savers before sitting vacant for more than a decade and will serve as Sherridon’s major new office hub slated for October.
- The former Lister House Medical Clinic on Nixon Street has been leased after remaining empty since the medical service relocated to North Shepparton last year.
- Crown Kebabs has recently opened on Wyndham Street, offering pizzas, kebabs and traditional Iranian and Afghan dishes.
- La Velluto, a new Italian restaurant has recently opened on High Street.
- Boss Burgers & Dreams has opened in the former Nourish Shepparton premises on Fryers Street.
- Refurbishment and rebranding of Obertor Bistro & Cafe, formerly Teller Collective.
- Expansion of Funzone.
- Panini Mondo on Maude Street.
- Relocation of BLove.
- Relocation of Solar Locksmith and the expansion of the Fryers Street Market.
Greater Shepparton City Council said the overall vacancy rate within the Shepparton CBD currently sits at five per cent and has remained stable since 2024. A quarterly vacancy audit will be undertaken this month.
Council noted several additional business investments have not been included, as the businesses involved are yet to publicly announce their tenancy arrangements. Many of these are activating long-standing vacant premises, while further investment discussions are underway.
Although some vacant shopfronts remain, several have been transformed into vibrant displays promoting the Shepparton Art Museum’s Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso exhibition, adding colour and visual interest to otherwise unused spaces.
Director of Gagliardi Scott Real Estate, Rocky Gagliardi, said demand for commercial space remained strong, describing leasing activity within the CBD as a game of “musical chairs”, with businesses relocating rather than leaving the area on top of many new businesses that have also come to Shepparton.
Licensed estate agent Vince Tassoni of Stockdale & Leggo said smaller shop vacancies, particularly around Fryers Street, were popular. He also said that recent investments from large businesses like Skechers reflected a growing confidence in Shepparton’s retail sector.
“We have worked with Skechers for about 18 months and think it is a great outcome for Shepparton and the surrounding local businesses,” Mr Tassoni said.
Mayor Cr Shane Sali said the diverse mix of businesses and services played an important role in Greater Shepparton’s economy.
“Council continues to support businesses, building on the previous infrastructure investment of the Maude Street Mall redevelopment,” he said.
“We deliver a range of initiatives to support local businesses, promote our CBD and encourage the community to shop local, with businesses reporting increased customer activity following campaigns such as Christmas Wonder Filled Summer and the ongoing Eat Play Stay Shop campaign.
“When we provide an environment for businesses to have confidence, we see strong shop occupancy rates, which we are currently seeing across Greater Shepparton.
“When possible, I encourage residents to shop local, which creates more jobs, strengthens our economy and contributes to a thriving city centre that benefits the entire Greater Shepparton community.”
Data from economy.id also indicates business activity remains steady across Greater Shepparton.
The number of GST-registered businesses increased marginally from 193 in March 2025 to 197 in March 2026, while GST cancellations declined from 147 to 141 over the same period.
Together, the figures suggest stable business turnover, with a modest net improvement in new business formation.
