Whittlesea council has launched a new campaign to support local food businesses and outdoor dining.
The DineOut(side) campaign is aimed at encouraging residents to get behind local cafés and restaurants and enjoy outdoor dining this summer.
Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the campaign aimed to showcase local restaurants and cafés to encourage people to return to local dining.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has seen the largest ever downturn in the hospitality industry with restaurants and cafés suffering a significant decline in business,” Ms Wilson said.
“With warmer weather well combined with the known benefits of being outside in the fresh air, we wanted to encourage people to explore the wonderful places to eat in the City of Whittlesea and support our local businesses who have done it tough for another year.”
Administrator Chris Eddy said the council was supporting businesses to set up al-fresco style dining options and waiving the 2021-22 fees for outdoor dining and footpath trading permits, covering the costs of public liability insurance for businesses expanding their trade onto the footpath.
“Promoting and supporting local al-fresco dining and waiving the associated fees are just some of the ways Council is working to support our local business community to recover from the impacts of COVID,” he said.
Businesses can join in the DineOut(side) campaign by displaying posters and sharing content on their social media channels.
Follow the campaign on the Explore Whittlesea Facebook and Instagram pages.
The project is funded through the Victorian government’s Local Councils Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package grant to support local hospitality businesses.
Details: whittlesea.vic.gov.au/dineoutside
