City of Melbourne reveals plan for outdoor retail under Victoria’s roadmap

Retail stores hoping to open outdoors under Victoria’s roadmap have been scratching their heads, but this council already has grand plans for reopening.

Some CBD laneways could become night markets to ­encourage outdoor shopping when pandemic restrictions are due to be eased in late ­October.

The City of Melbourne is looking at extended retail hours and entertainment to lure people into the city when shops and hospitality venues will be able to again trade on footpaths under the state government road map.

The Inside Out initiative will also see the fast-tracking of outdoor trading permits, in addition to the 200 existing permits given out from earlier al fresco dining programs.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the council was doing everything it could to ensure traders could welcome back as many customers as possible in line with Covid rules.

“Our small businesses have been the hardest hit in the whole of Australia,” she said.

“This will be an exciting first for Melbourne. Imagine a bustling market with clothing racks and trestle tables on the street, along with food stalls and buskers that will help bring the vibrancy back to our beautiful city, safely.”

Romina Beltrame of Il Papiro is among CBD traders who will benefit from easier outdoor trading when restrictions ease. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Business and industry groups slammed the state government’s roadmap, released last weekend, for allowing only a limited reopening when the state hits 70 per cent fully vaccinated in late October.

Retailers can only trade outside, while restaurants and cafes are limited to 50 fully-vaccinated patrons outdoors. The owner of Il Papiro stationery store in Degraves St, ­Romina Beltrame, said trading outside would present problems. “We’ve got the challenges of the weather, but at this stage we’re happy to do what we can to trade,” she said.

Ms Beltrame welcomed the council plan, but urged the government to ease restrictions earlier if possible. “We hope to give a real festive feel to Degraves St, especially as the lead-up to Christmas is so important to us,” she said.

While no decisions have yet been made, laneways such as Flinders Lane, Little Collins St and Little Bourke St in Chinatown could be closed to traffic on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

The Lord Mayor said there was a sense of urgency. “Every day that businesses can’t operate is another day of income lost,” she said.

“We will be extending the moratorium on paying permit fees, approving more outdoor permits, and we are looking at lower-cost options for outdoor dining infrastructure,” she said.

City activation portfolio lead councillor Roshena Campbell said city businesses had been demanding support, so “in delivering Inside Out we will be cutting the red tape and fees so businesses can get back on their feet again”.