One of Hobart's oldest pubs, The Hope & Anchor has become the first business to receive a street-side dining installation under the City of Hobart's new Parklet and Street-Side Dining Program.
Transforming on-street parking spaces into inviting and accessible outdoor seating areas, creating new places for people to gather, relax and enjoy what local businesses have to offer.
The milestone project is the first of a growing number of street-side dining being installed across Hobart, transforming kerbside spaces into inviting outdoor areas where people can gather, dine and connect.
Building on the success of previous trials across Hobart such as Straight Up Coffee, Pilgrim Cafe and Simple Cider (now Bevs), the program's new guidelines will support more businesses and community groups to create vibrant street-side spaces.
Through the Parklet and Street-Side Dining Program, the City is supporting businesses and community groups to activate public space, encourage street life and create attractive destinations for residents and visitors.
The Hope & Anchor site and fine dining and wine bar Scholé are part of program one, a short-term option that allows businesses and community groups to trial a Council-supplied modular installation for up to 12 months before considering a longer-term arrangement.
The installation includes planter boxes, line marking, concrete kerb and decking level with the footpath, creating an attractive and accessible outdoor space integrated with the surrounding streetscape.
Businesses and community groups can apply through an Expression of Interest process, with applications assessed against criteria including place activation, accessibility, public benefit, site suitability and safety. The assessment process also considers benefits for the broader community, impacts on neighbouring businesses and feedback from stakeholders and nearby residents.
Quotes to be attributed to Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds:
"It's exciting to see the first project delivered through our Parklet and Street-Side Dining Program come to life in such a prominent location.
"This program creates more vibrant, people-focused streets by turning small sections of road space into places where residents and visitors can sit, meet and enjoy everything our city has to offer.
"Parklets and street-side dining gives businesses an opportunity to trial new ideas while delivering lasting benefits for the wider community through improved amenity, accessibility and activation.
"They also provide valuable opportunities for local businesses to enhance their outdoor offerings and contribute to a more welcoming and livelier city environment."
Quotes to be attributed to Nick Devereux, Hobart Brewing Co.
"For us, the street-side dining is a great asset. Everyone loves enjoying a beer or a meal in the sunshine, and the timber design and surrounding greenery create a welcoming space that's both attractive and relaxing.
"It helps draw people into the venue while also contributing to a more vibrant and inviting street environment.
"Hobart Brewing Co is well known for our love of a good beer garden, and we're stoked to be able to bring those outdoor beer garden vibes to the Hope & Anchor."
Quotes to be attributed to Luke Burgess, owner of Scholé
"We've always wanted people to be able to sit and linger out the front, but there's only so much you can do with a narrow footpath. This program was the first real chance to change that. It gives us something we've never had, and for a small business, a few extra tables that people actually want to sit at makes a real difference.
"Some of the best things about running Scholé happen out the front. Someone pausing for a chat on their way past, regulars running into each other. Street-side dining gives us more room for that to happen. Hobart has always been a city people walk around, and anything that gives them a reason to slow down and stay a while is worth doing.
"I have always been inspired by the way other cultures use public space and Hobart is perfectly positioned to embrace some of these ideas and experience the outdoors all year round."
