AN Edithvale pub has been given the green light to open an outdoor summer lounge.
At the end of last year, The Crowded Hour’s plans for outdoor dining were thwarted when Kingston Council rejected its proposal (“Council shuts down outdoor dining plans”, The News, 16/12/20).
Crowded Hour owner Rogan O’Shannessy says that council has since backtracked, and granted him permission to open Friday to Sunday from 6 February until Easter.
“This is all down to people power. The support we’ve received from the locals has been amazing and to see them publicly stand up for us speaks volumes about why this community is so special,” Mr O’Shannessy said.
“We would have loved to have operated for the whole summer, but are very grateful that council ultimately listened to the community and have seen sense.
“This plan was always about us giving something back to the community that supported us through a pretty difficult time last year, so we’re really excited to have the opportunity to do that.
“I’m looking forward to being able to personally thank everyone who backed this idea when they pop along to the reserve to enjoy a drink and something to eat in a chilled-out family-friendly environment.”
The lounge will operate from 4pm-8pm on Fridays, and 12pm-8pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 3 February 2021