AFTER the State Government\u2019s announcement to relax some of the restrictions on regional Victorian businesses, many hospitality venues are once again finding their feet.<\/p>\n
Along Armstrong Street, one of Ballarat\u2019s busiest dining thoroughfares, cafes, restaurants and bars are spluttering back to life after months of being totally or partially closed.<\/p>\n
Manager of Latino restaurant Pancho Simone Baur-Schmid said they were ecstatic to be able to re-open.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are missing that social interaction and cultural experience from being able to dine in at places,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
To commemorate the re-opening of restaurants around the city, Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle joined CEO of Committee for Ballarat Michael Poulton at Pancho.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany Ballarat hospitality businesses have been significantly impacted due to closures required by the COVID restrictions, moving to step three means that the community can now get out and about,\u201d Ms Addison said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re calling on Ballarat locals to come out, dine out, have a beer or a beverage, shop in Ballarat \u2026 our business needs you now more than ever.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although it may look and feel different, Mr Poulton said he urges residents to be adaptive in the way they support local venues.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important to continue to be safe but energise the city with energy and activity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI call on both businesses and our community to be innovative.<\/p>\n
\u201cBe prepared to walk or park a little further out, \u2026 to really support businesses making new initiatives around space.\u201d<\/p>\n
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What are the rules for hospitality?<\/strong><\/p>\n The basic rules for hospitality venues are currently a maximum of 10 seated patrons per indoor space, with a density of one per four- square meters, with a maximum of 20 people over two spaces and a cap of 50 seated patrons per outdoor venue space, with a density of one per two square meters.<\/p>\n While Pancho have commenced trading, Ms Baur-Schmid said they will continue to adapt to the needs of their customers with their safety in mind.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will be rearranging to restaurant to be a little more spacious to increase safety,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we were able to increase forward into the single car park, we could accommodate more people outside than inside and add another atmosphere to the street.\u201d<\/p>\n To enable restaurants and cafes to make the most of these regulations, The City of Ballarat moved to loosen restrictions and waive fees where applicable.<\/p>\n The City created a new online application form for a more streamlined process towards approval of trading arrangements.<\/p>\n City of Ballarat mayor Cr Ben Taylor said they are doing everything in their power to enable businesses to reopen again.<\/p>\n \u201cIf they don\u2019t have an outside dining permit, we\u2019re working with them to determine how we can fast track that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cFor those businesses who are already permitted to provide outdoor dining and footpath trading, we can help them expand their footprint.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n