The limited number of new bars has not been because of a lack of interest from the public, we have received several enquiries from people interested in opening a bar in Fortitude Valley and other areas, it is due to the classification of a bar as a “Hotel” under town planning schemes.
Until recently if you wanted to open a bar (or hotel) in Fortitude Valley, you were required to make a code or impact assessable town planning application – both long and costly exercises. This made it financially unviable to open a bar with a maximum capacity of 60 persons.
On 1st October 2010 the revised Fortitude Valley Neighbourhood Plan came into effect. Under the new plan the use of premises as a hotel is now self assessable where:
- the use does not involve building work (internal fitout does not constitute building work)
- the buildins is in the Special Entertainment Precinct Core Area
- the premises has 100m² or less in gross floor area (Other uses may occupy an area greater than 100m2, provided the licensed component is 100m² or less. This would apply to fusion bars attached to existing businesses such as shops, hairdressers etc.)
- the premises is not located within the same building as, or within 5m from, a residential dwelling.
This makes the prospect of opening a bar in Fortitude Valley much more attractive and we may now see some more vibrancy in our laneways and small spaces.