Gearing Up for Outdoor Dining
With Victorian Government’s announcement of an $87.5 million Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package as part of the $3 billion Business Resilience Package, there has been no better time to think about how your business can utilise outdoor public space.
The package will offer up to $5000 per hospitality business with an annual payroll of less than $3 million to help them adapt to outdoor dining. Melton City Council will be working closely with traders to help ensure safe and functional outdoor dining areas can be established quickly in the lead up to Summer.
Since the onset of this pandemic public shared space is deemed a necessity - economically, socially, and to ensure public safety. For businesses this means an opportunity to increase trade after months of restrictions as well as increased visibility and vibrancy for the street. For the community this will mean more spaces to visit outside of our home and more opportunities to connect with our community.
Outdoor trading involves using public footpaths for commercial purposes and often includes outdoor dining or seating, A-Frame signs, banners, and similar marketing or decorative infrastructure.
Businesses can take advantage of the time they have now to prepare for outdoor trading come October. The City of Melton has waived all application and permit fees for outdoor trading and created a useful set of Outdoor Trading Guidelines to help use this space so that it is safe, accessible and compliant.
Making the most of outdoor trading not only increases your visibility and safe trading practices it also creates a sense of vibrancy to the area. When streets and footpaths are designed for people they generate more activity, thus strengthening the community, the businesses that serve them and the city’s economy as a whole. Once customers and patrons are already on the street, encouraging them to linger and browse for longer can result in them spending more time and money in businesses than they otherwise might have.
On 14 September Dan Andrews was quoted as saying, “What we know is, if you look at places like New York, where they have been able to get their hospitality sector back to something approaching normal, faster than what would otherwise have been the case because they have used the footpath, curb side parking and taken public space and turned it into pop-up cafes, restaurants, bars.” Read the full media release here.
So to all the traders in the City of Melton that can make use of outdoor trading – let’s start thinking up some creative ways we can effectively open up our space for greater sense of safety, vibrancy, and overall wellbeing of the community.
Where to start?
If you need some help to work out what is possible in your space you can contact the Economic Development & Tourism unit to discuss the specifics of your site.
When ready you can submit your application for outdoor dining for free online here.
If you have multiple permits that you need to apply for you should use Council’s Business Concierge Service which can help you navigate through complicated applications.
If you are looking for ideas on how to spice up your outdoor space check out our article on Getting Seen here.
Have an idea about bringing places to life that you would like to discuss further? Contact me directly via email to discuss further.
Randi Wagner
Place Engagement & Activation Officer
randiw@melton.vic.gov.au