No clear vision for Cowes
A drop-in session was held in Cowes to discuss plans for outdoor dining in the town centre.
Outdoor dining plan moving slowly
Between 30 – 40 local business operators came to a drop-in session at Pino’s Trattoria in Cowes last Friday, to discuss plans for outdoor dining in the Cowes town centre.
Hosted by the Bass Coast Shire Council business support team, the session outlined potential options for Cowes over the summer season.
While other areas of the shire, including Grantville, Inverloch and San Remo have moved ahead with plans, there is yet to be an agreed approach from Cowes traders.
Plans presented at the session included Covid circles and temporary picnic tables in the Jetty Triangle and on the foreshore, a pop-up dining area to seat up to 165 at Olive Justice Place, laneway closure, and a town takeaway system using QR codes and online ordering.
Examples of signage for parklets and fabric space dividers were also on display.
The need for more public toilet facilities was highlighted repeatedly as well as who would be responsible for cleaning the public spaces.
A “no alcohol” stipulation in the proposed town takeaway system was also a problem for several traders.
Feedback from North Pier stated: “Love this, but to link to our online takeaway would require alcohol service as well. If we have the licence, why can’t we?”
Pino’s Trattoria also questioned the alcohol ban.
“How would we police this, if it’s already part of our online ordering,” they said.
No road closure
The most contentious issue, the potential closure of Thompson Avenue, was not included in the options presented at the drop-in session.
Instead, Council proposed partial road closures and one-way traffic in sections of The Esplanade
According to feedback on the Traffic Management Plan, many traders, including Priceline, Not Just Shoes, Wing Lock Restaurant, Anything Goes, U-Neek Souvenirs, Front Room Boutique, Pollyana, Turn the Page and Skunk Ware were opposed to a Thompson Avenue closure.
Other traders are lamenting what they see as a “missed opportunity”.
Rosa Scarlato from Pino’s could not hide her frustration.
“We have a magnificent view and we don’t do enough with it,” she said.
“We need to embrace the view, have party lights and make it (Thompson Avenue) more for everyone.”
She criticised the council for not doing more to improve the area, saying there was “nothing appealing” about the current streetscape.
“We’re paying rates and making money for the council, but get nothing,” she said.
“How much is a coat of paint? They need to work on improving the streets. There’s no toilets. No facilities for tourists. Council should be driving this process and it needs an overall vision. The street is missing out.”
She believes a trial closure of Thompson Avenue “would be very good”.
“Everybody lost money with the virus. We should make something everybody can participate in.”
Teresa Mahood from Bass Coast Shire Council said while some traders wanted the trial closure, others opposed the move, with some stating it would lose them up to 70 per cent of their business.
She said there was the option to close Thompson Avenue between Chapel Street and The Esplanade in the evening over Christmas.
Council will collate all the feedback from the session before finalising any plans for the area.
Dressed up
Local events businesses will be contracted to help dress the outdoor spaces, with representatives from Over the Top Events attending the drop-in session to explain different options.
Suggestions included artificial grass, timber flooring, clear spanned marquees, picnic-style tables, festoon and pea style lighting and tidying of existing garden spaces.
The state government is providing grants of up to $5000 for individual businesses and up to $250,000 for local councils, to organise additional outdoor dining spaces.
Last month it announced it would streamline planning approvals to make it easier for existing businesses to create new outdoor dining areas.
So far, Ocean Reach Brewing, Grenache Wine Bar, Hotel, North Pier and M&O have applied to create “parklets” or outdoor dining areas.
Some attendees told the Advertiser the lack of an established traders association was hampering discussions in Cowes.
The new Phillip Island Business Network was only established last month.
“Other areas have active business associations that have really driven the process,” one said.
