Petition urges shire to restore outdoor space at Beach Hotel

MORE than 1,100 people have signed an online petition to reinstate an outdoor structure at The Beach Hotel that “brought the community back to life” during the pandemic.

Described as “a space like no other” by petition starter Frankie Kaye, the temporary structure at the front of the hotel in Jan Juc was installed by the Surf Coast Shire in October 2020 in response to pandemic restrictions.

The Beach Hotel was one of many benefactors of the Victorian government’s $250,000 Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Grants, which the shire used to create a Fresh Air Dining program to support hospitality businesses expand their outdoor offering during social distancing measures.

 

However, locals were left disappointed when the program ended in line with the dropping of statewide restrictions in October 2022, which led to the removal of the outdoor dining space and reverting it to a public car parking bay.

“The space brought families a place to enjoy together and provided young and growing individuals a space to meet new people,” Ms Kaye said.

“It brought so much to our community, and we are devastated that this space is no longer around.

“This was not just a space to enjoy a beer, but a space that all, far and wide felt comfortable, welcome and connected to.

“It created a spark within Jan Juc that has been missing for quite some time.”

 

The Beach Hotel owner Jamie Collins said he was devastated when the shire removed the space, but remained hopeful of getting an outdoor extension again in the future to reignite the area.

“The area was fantastic, it just worked.

“It was such a different clientele that came in because of it; families, kids, dogs and everything in between.

“The positive feedback from the petition has been amazing and even if we could get a summer permit and bump it in for four months, that would be a great way of getting it during the busy periods.”

In response to the petition and community feedback, the shire said it had not yet received a formal petition.

“We’re pleased that so many people enjoyed the temporary expansion of outdoor dining and supported many local businesses like The Beach Hotel in a difficult time,” shire general manager of place making and environment Chris Pike said.

“Since [October 2022], the council has been working with business owners to end the temporary outdoor dining measures and in Beach Hotel’s case return the area to public car parking.

“We haven’t received a petition at this stage.

“If it’s sent to the council, it will be tabled at the next scheduled council meeting with a report prepared in response at a later meeting.”

The online petition can be found at change.org/p/beach-hotel-outdoor-structure-bring-her-back