Goya Dmytryshchak
Some Hobsons Bay traders are seeking to permanently change the way they do business to safely serve food and beverages as COVID-19 restrictions are eased.
Ilch Mickovski, speaking on behalf of Altona Village Traders Association, Laverton Traders Association, Newport Traders Association and Williamstown Chamber of Commerce, said businesses were seeking to change the rules to adapt to COVID.
“We need council to be bold and innovative and allow businesses to be able to trade in a different capacity than prior to COVID,” he said.
“The current regulations around footpath access issues wouldn’t allow businesses to be able to trade in a takeaway front window concept if it wasn’t for COVID.
“So, I think we need to be looking at the rule book to allow these guys to be trading and to be viable in the future.”
Salt n Pepa Cafe owner Chris Galea was among the first to quickly convert to serving customers via a front window in Altona’s Pier Street.
It’s something he hopes to continue even when onsite dining is allowed again.
“It was really well received,” Mr Galea said.
“As a business owner, you look at it and think, if this is working – and you’re looking towards the future – we’re not going to go 100 per cent back to the way we were.
“I see an apprehensiveness to be in a confined space with multiple people – a lot of people are feeling that.
“People will always take the safer option, which will possibly be grab and go.
“There’s always going to be dine-in custom – that will always exist – but it gives people options to do it a different way.”
