Iconic Franco Cozzo store to be turned into a multi-level pub and music venue
Moon Dog Craft Brewery has been given the green light to turn Footscray’s iconic Franco Cozzo furniture store into a three-storey pub and music venue.
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A council in Melbourne’s inner west has given Moon Dog Craft Brewery the green light to turn Footscray’s iconic Franco Cozzo furniture store into a multi-level pub and music venue.
Moon Dog’s proposal to transform the Hopkins Street building into a booming bar, lodged in December last year, was initially rejected by Maribyrnong City Council in June.
Safety concerns, including possible risks to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists around the area were originally cited as the reasons for blocking the development of the three-storey pub.
The council previously said the sale and consumption of alcohol would have an “unacceptable” impact on the neighbourhood, and that the proposed trading hours would affect the area negatively.
Maribyrnong City Council announced it would reverse its initial decision and grant Moon Dog a planning permit, subject to approval by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, via Facebook on Saturday morning.
“Moon Dog has agreed to manage occupancy to mitigate the risks to large numbers of patrons exiting onto the narrow footpath adjacent to a busy road,” the Facebook post read.
“This means a slight change to the previously proposed hours of operation – from 11am to 11pm Sunday to Thursday – and 1am Friday and Saturday, with a gradual reduction in occupancy after 10pm.”
Upgrades are scheduled for the pedestrian fencing and footpath adjacent to Shelley St.
Melburnians will soon be able to knock back beers in the establishment built in the 1960s.
One of the founders of Moon Dog, Karl van Buuren, said Moon Dog were feeling really good about being given the tick of approval.
“We’ve been working really well with the council over the last few months to agree on the way to make that area safe and great for the community and great for Moon Dog.
“Today has shown that we can work with council to make sure that it’s a great site.
“We’re really looking forward to building a world class venue,” he said.
Mr van Buuren could not confirm if the original ‘Franco Cozzo’ sign would remain on the outside of the building, but told the Herald Sun the heritage of the establishment would be considered in the development.
“I imagine that there will still be some elements of the building’s history integrated,” he said.
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