The Hope and Anchor on Macquarie Street has become the first Hobart business to receive a street-side dining installation under the City of Hobart’s new Parklet and Street-Side Dining Program.
The program transforms on-street parking spaces into outdoor seating areas, giving businesses and community groups more room for customers to gather and dine.
Fine dining and wine bar Scholé on Liverpool Street has been approved and will have its installation built in coming weeks.
Both are part of a short-term option allowing a council-supplied modular setup for up to 12 months before deciding on a permanent arrangement.
The installations include planter boxes, bollards, concrete kerbing and decking level with the footpath.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the program builds on earlier trials at businesses including Straight Up Coffee, Pilgrim Cafe and Simple Cider.
“This program creates more vibrant, people-focused streets by turning small sections of road space into places where residents and visitors can sit, meet and enjoy everything our city has to offer,” she said.
Reynolds said the city has thousands of parking spots and plenty of availability remains.
Nick Devereux, marketing manager at Hobart Brewing Company which runs the Hope and Anchor, said the parklet adds around 30 seats to a venue limited by its heritage interior.
“Having this outside, it gives us a great outdoor space to play in,” Devereux said.
He described the trade-off as simple, saying the installation replaced what had been a five-minute parking spot.
Scholé owner Luke Burgess said his 10-seat restaurant could effectively double its capacity.
“You can have a crisp, clear, beautiful day in winter, not a touch of wind and sit outside, have a glass of something, enjoy some time in the sun,” Burgess said.
He said the application process took more than 10 months and involved significant safety assessment.
Businesses and community groups can apply through an expression of interest process, with applications assessed on criteria including accessibility, public benefit and site suitability.
