As part of its latest COVID-19 support package, the Victorian State Government has today announced that grants will be available for hospitality venues to assist with Outdoor Eating and Entertainment.

The Victorian Government’s Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package will provide $87.5 million to councils and businesses outside of Melbourne’s CBD to make widespread outdoor dining safe, practical and a reality this summer.

$58 million will go towards grants of up to $5,000 to help hospitality businesses pay for the practical things that will make this plan work – umbrellas, outdoor furniture, screens and other equipment. The government will also invest in training, advertising, and the other supports businesses will need as we take our café culture outdoors. 

The grants will be available to licensed and unlicensed cafés, restaurants, takeaway food businesses, pubs, taverns, bars and clubs with a payroll of less than $3 million – with more than 11,000 businesses eligible to benefit.

Venues that do not currently have authority for alfresco dining will need to apply for limited licenses seeking that permission. In 2020, the VCGLR made a commitment to process “COVID-19” temporary licence applications within 3 business days. On Tap Liquor has confirmed with the VCGLR that temp licenses for alfresco dining will also be fast tracked.

If you are seeking to include footway seating as part of you dining then you will still need Local Laws permission in order to place tables and chairs on the footway. Each local government area (Council) has a range of different considerations in place for outdoor dining approval.

If you seek to utilise a space other than the footway (for instance a rear yard) then a local laws permit from your local Council may not necessarily be required, however a temporary alteration or extension of your licensed “red line plan” is likely to be needed.

On Tap Liquor is ready and able to assist licensed venues in navigating these matters; Contact us today to get the process ready for when the restrictions end.