Government help for Cygnet’s Red Velvet Lounge cafe

THE State Government will provide a $75,000 loan to Cygnet’s Red Velvet Lounge as it rises from the ashes.

red velvet

THE State Government will provide a $75,000 loan to Cygnet’s Red Velvet Lounge as it rises from the ashes of last November’s devastating fire.

Owner Steve Cumper said the cafe, which is on track to reopen in early July, would be bigger and better than before.

MORE: BLAZE LEAVES RED VELVET LOUNGE IN RUINS

The State Government has announced it would provide the loan to Mr Cumper. The cafe will employ three people full-time and up to nine in casual positions.

Mr Cumper said he had been working hard to get the cafe reopened and understood its importance to the community.

“We’ve had to match the dollar contribution of the loan,” he said.

“We had massive community support from industry, our peers and the broader community which was able to secure about $33,000 to 35,000 which was amazing.

“I’ve begged, borrowed and stolen for the rest and done all the things I’ve had to do.”

The Red Velvet Lounge is on track for a July reopening after fire devastated the popular eatery.

Mr Cumper said everything was on track for a July opening.

“We’ve hired staff, ordered equipment and started in earnest the whole process to turn it around, which is a very big undertaking.”

Mr Cumper said he planned to take over the building from the landlord by the end of the week and would then begin fast tracking the installation.

Premier Will Hodgman said: “Following a recommendation from the Tasmanian Development Board we will support the revival of one of southern Tasmania’s quintessential cafes.

“The reopening will also contribute up to $300,000 in wages to the local area and support local producers who provide much of the fresh produce that made the cafe synonymous with Cygnet.”