MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire says it is paving the way for more footpath trading and a new “parklets” program to support restaurants and cafes as COVID-19 restrictions ease over spring and summer.

It says additional outdoor dining spaces are crucial for food businesses to re-open and remain profitable while complying with social distancing measures and space restrictions.

Streamlining the permit process required by business to boost outdoor dining space and making it quicker, easier and cheaper for businesses to apply, are keys to the process.

Affected businesses can apply for grants of up to $5000 from the state government’s $87.5 million Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package to help pay for such things as outdoor furniture, umbrellas and screens.

The grants will be available to licensed and unlicensed cafes, restaurants, takeaway food businesses, pubs, taverns, bars and clubs with a payroll of less than $3 million.

First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 6 October 2020