Backyard battle: North Hobart pub Boodle Beasley fights to use garden

A North Hobart pub hopes it can once again use its backyard area after a zoning issue meant customers weren’t allowed to dine in their rear garden.

The owners of popular North Hobart pub are hoping they can once again welcome customers to their backyard, after a zoning issue resulted in restrictions being placed on the use of the area.

The council had temporarily allowed Boodle Beasley to use its rear garden for customers, but when the clock stuck 6pm, customers were ushered onto the deck or inside.

“We’ve had the venue for three years,” Boodle Beasley co-owner Phil Zakaria said.

“We set up the backyard, unaware of the zoning, that the property is a split zone.

“We had it for 12 months and there’d be a review and we’d have to go for it again.”

Mr Zakaria said the area was important to the business because the space drew customers to the pub.

“It’s a really popular area, we’ve set up a relaxing space, it’s very private and very friendly,” he said.

The co-owner of Boodle Beasley Phil Zakaria fights to be able to use their full beer garden. The issue passed the planning committee last night but still has one council hurdle to go. Picture Eddie Safarik

“It’s an important area for us, it’s not used in winter but summer gets a little bit busier.

“There’s not many much around like what we have where pets are allowed.”

With that year now lapsed, the pub has been forced to take the fight to council once again, with the matter passing the Hobart planning committee on Monday despite being recommended for refusal.

“We put forth a pretty strong case,” Mr Zakaria said.

“We’ve addressed all of the concerns.

It’s hoped under a new arrangement, customers could use the space up to 8pm instead of 6pm.

Two representations in opposition to the project were received by council in relation to noise and security.

“When we had the backyard the first time, we had a sound engineer come through and give their opinion,” Mr Zakaria said

Boodle Beasley

“We put in 2.4 metre high fences and we put sound insulation up.

“We were more than happy to work with council and we still are.”

The outside deck area of the pub is situated in the commercial zone, an area customers are allowed to occupy past 6pm.

The co-owner said regardless of whether the business was successful or not, there would likely still be noise.

“We are in the main strip there of North Hobart, but its North Hobart, it’s a lively bustling area,” he said.

“It’s a restaurant strip, there’s always going to be noise.”

The matter will go before the full Hobart council on Monday.

Originally published as Backyard battle: North Hobart pub Boodle Beasley fights to use garden