Goya Dmytryshchak
Scaled-back plans for a container restaurant and bar in Footscray have been approved by Maribyrnong council.
The Bermuda Bar, which draws its name from the triangle-shaped block, will be at 4 Shelley Street, opposite the landmark Franco Cozzo store.
Twenty-four objections were received in response to the proposal, based on proximity to homes, operating hours, the selling of liquor on and off the site, patron numbers, anti-social behaviour due to the selling of liquor, and lack of onsite car parking.
Applicant Toothpicks Creative had planned to use an adjoining triangular block at 1 Byron Street for food trucks but this has been withdrawn.
The bar was originally to cater for up to 350 patrons but this has been reduced to 280.
Operating hours have been cut back from 1am to no later than 11pm.
Philipp Hockenberger from The Hof Group, which operates the Hofbrauhaus Melbourne and the HOF Downtown, addressed Tuesday night’s council meeting as one of the owners and operators of the future venue.
“We’ve put a lot of thought into this project to create not only a great dining experience but also to bring something to Footscray which is quite unique, at least in the hospitality sector,” he said.
“The whole design we were seeking with the container shipment and the overall architectural design, for us, just screams Footscray.
“I think a lot of objectors were afraid we are looking more into creating another pub, which we are definitely not.
“Our concept is food driven, and it’s driven by creating not only a culinary hub where people can come and enjoy great food but also where we have a community hub and we can bring people together through great food and a great time.”
