OUTDOOR dining is in the air in central Frankston as part of a state government push to encourage food and drink businesses to kick business outside to the kerbside.
The state government’s appetite for kerbside dining has seen up to $40,000 of taxpayers’ money put on the table for Frankston businesses to buy street furniture or install small seating areas on pavements outside established eateries.
A Kerbside Dining Encouragement Package, announced last week in partnership with Frankston Council, will offer 20 grants of $2000 each to Frankston city centre food and drink businesses offer outdoor dining for the first time or improve existing kerbside dining.
“While the transformation of Frankston’s city centre is well underway, we’re actively encouraging and supporting cafes and restaurants to expand their operations by delivering quality outdoor dining experiences,” Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke said.
“Now is the time for local businesses to jump on board the exciting changes occurring in our city centre. I encourage business operators to apply now to enhance your dining experiences for residents and visitors in time for summer.”
Applications can be made for grants until “the funding allocation for the grants program is exhausted”.
The mayor Cr Brian Cunial said the grant program is aimed at rejuvenating the centre of Frankston.
“Frankston is becoming a hive of activity, offering a bustling inner city vibe with alfresco dining experiences that add to the ambience of the city,” the mayor said.
“Creating more outdoor dining opportunities will enable people to maximise their enjoyment of the improved streetscapes in Young and Wells streets.”
The outdoor dining grant program comes amid discontent from several traders frustrated at delays in the completion of a state government $13 million redevelopment of Young St.
The VicRoads managed works — carried out by building firm Seymour Whyte — to install new paving and improved street lighting as part of the redevelopment of Frankston train station and its surrounds began in November last year and were due to be complete in March.
The deadline for completed works was pushed out to the end of October.
See frankston.vic.gov.au or call Frankston Council on 1300 322 322 for information on applying for a grant from the Kerbside Trading Encouragement Package.
