Popular cafe Piccolo’s closed for extensive renovations, set to transform under refit, sell alcohol

A popular Alice Springs cafe is set to transform this year when it undergoes extensive renovations to become a licenced restaurant.

Piccolo's Cafe owners Pearl Randhay and Rupinder Singh.

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A POPULAR Alice Springs cafe is set to transform this year when it undergoes extensive renovations to become a licenced restaurant.

Piccolo’s cafe in Todd Mall was this week approved for a Liquor License to serve alcohol, with owners Pearl Randhay and Rupinder Singh ready to refit and renovate the premises.

The business, set to be renamed to The Locals, will expand to become “a more up-market family friendly licensed restaurant with modern Australian cuisine and decor”.

The couple have owned Piccolo’s since 2018.

The licence authorises the sale of liquor to patrons of the premises with or without the consumption of food.

Piccolo's Cafe owners Pearl Randhay and Rupinder Singh.

The Liquor Commission decision, which was handed down late last month, said the owners expect the works for The Locals will be completed in May 2021, which is when they will commence trading as a Liquor Licensee.

“The Commission considers that the issue of the licence is likely to enhance the amenity of the precinct,” the report reads.

The report also revealed the Commission accepted the business would cease trading relatively early (except for special events such as pre-booked birthday parties where it can stay open until midnight) and restrict drinking to indoors.

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It also found the applicants had a “clear and well-articulated plan to operate the premises as an up-market family-friendly restaurant”.

Piccolos will be closed from today (Tuesday April 6) until May for the renovations.

Upon rebranding, The Locals will be open between 11:30 and 10pm seven days a week.

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