Little Manly Kiosk: Popular eatery lodges refurbishment plans now open for public comment

It has always been popular with Manly locals, but now a modest kiosk has lodged plans for a revamp and you can have your say.

An artist's impression of proposed alterations to the popular kiosk at Little Manly Beach that will be renamed Ripples Little Manly. The revamp proposal is now open for public comment. Picture: BJB Architects

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Plans for the revamp of one of the northern beaches’ most popular waterside eateries have been revealed.

The public can now make submission to the council about changes proposed to the former Little Manly Kiosk at Little Manly Beach.

If the refurbishment gets the go-ahead the kiosk will operate as a cafe called Ripples – Little Manly.

An artist's impression of proposed alterations to the popular kiosk at Little Manly Beach. Picture: BJB Architects

The site is owned by the council and leased to veteran Sydney restaurateur Bill Drakopoulos, who runs a number of waterside eateries around the city including Ripples restaurants at Chowder Bay and Milsons Point as well as Ormeggio at The Spit.

In November 2017, the then operator of the kiosk, Carly Nicol, who had run it for two and a half years, decided to move on.

An artist's impression of the proposed interior of the revamped cafe. Picture: BJB Architects

Ms Nicol told the Manly Daily at the time that she made the heart wrenching decision to leave a place she loved after the council decided that the kiosk building needed to be refurbished.

The Council then invited tender submissions for an individual or organisation to lease and pay for a new fit out of the premises on the reserve at the back of the beach.

An artist's impression of the proposed outdoor dining area. Picture: BJB Architects

As part of the $495,000 redevelopment application (DA) to be considered by the council, there will be seating for 32 people, including five outdoor tables with removable umbrellas, and a new take-a-way area on the north side of the building. The kitchen would be rebuilt and a cool room and freezer rooms would be added.

Carly Nicol, who chose not to renew the lease on the Little Manly Beach Kiosk in November 2017, with her mother Judy Picture: Jim O'Rourke

There are no plans for the cafe to serve alcohol and no amplified music will be played.

The cafe would operate from 7am to 10pm on Thursday to Saturdays. From Sunday to Wednesday the doors would be open between 7am and 4pm.

Bill Drakopoulos, at his The Fenwick restaurant at Balmain, has lodged the DA to revamp the Little Manly kiosk. Picture: Monique Harmer

As part of the plans the current plastic roller blinds would be replaced by glass windows.

In an interview with goodfood.om.au in December Mr Drakopoulos said the cafe would offer breakfast and lunch and a twilight dinner.

“It’s a stunning location. I’d love it across the road from my place,” he said.”

The council will also re-route the pedestrian path that now goes through the cafe’s outdoor area, to the front of the building.

An artist's impression of proposed alterations to the kiosk, which includes replacing the plastic roller blinds with windows. Picture: BJB Architects

The Manly Daily has contacted Mr Drakopoulos for comment.

The public can lodge objections to the proposals with the council until September 29. For details and to have a say on the DA go to the council’s website.