Merivale’s Vic on the Park is facing an about-face by Council, which is threatening to kill off its immensely popular COVID-response beer garden, in the former carpark.
In response to encouragement to creating outdoor dining spaces to improve conditions brought about by the pandemic, Justin Hemmes’ Merivale was one of many hospitality operators to transform a suitable area.
The revised beer garden, taking the place of parking for 20 cars at the rear of the pub, was designed to provide 350+ outdoor seats and improved space for live music.
Vic on the Park plays host to 100 bands, DJs, and performers every month, with a focus on Inner West talent.
The operators of the Marrickville venue recently submitted a DA to continue using the area as a beer garden permanently, open every day, and late Wednesdays to Saturdays.
Since then, in mid-September, Inner West Council issued notice it will “develop outdoor dining and live performance guidelines” around the use of public spaces, including parking spaces, along with temporarily closed main and side streets, and Council parks and carparks.
The guidelines were slated to be in place to coincide with the NSW Government’s “roadmap to freedom” – now confirmed for 11 October.
But the Council has now raised concerns around parking, traffic and noise, with a spokesperson declaring “on-site parking was required for licensed venues” and that it would be liaising with the applicant to address issues.
The bridging solution of hospitality operators furthering outdoor spaces to bolster social distancing capability was posed and adopted in several states, and is still seen as crucial in Sydney’s road to recovery.
Furthermore, nearly 11k people have already signed an online petition supporting the revised space at The Vic.
“I hereby support this petition that the total outdoor area at the Vic on the Park be utilised as a beer garden rather than a car park for the purpose of enhancing the local community experience.”
The petition is on track to become one of the top signed initiatives on Change.org, if it reaches the current goal of 15,000 signatures.
Merivale’s GM at the pub, Cameron Hann, is thankful for the passion and support being shown for the ‘heart of Marrickville’ by a vibrant community, offering “it is what it is today because of them”.
“The transformation of the carpark into a beer garden last year was in direct response to our guests; it was immediately embraced as a community space by people of all ages and walks of life – somewhere where people could socialise safely, eat, drink, and enjoy the fresh air together.
“Crucially, it also provided us with an additional space to book live music at a time when so many musicians, DJs and production people had been out of work.
“We want to see all of this continue, now and into the future.”
