Bendigo's outdoor dining expansion has proved popular with hospitality owners, who have welcomed the chance to cater to more customers.
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Hargreaves Street cafe Sim'R will increase capacity to 50 outdoor diners, the maximum allowed under current government regulations, following approval for an extension of its outdoor seating space.
Owner Randall Blakemore welcomed the chance to seat more diners and applauded the council for promptly addressing his request.
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"We drew up a plan that we submitted to council and it was much easier than expected to gain approval," Mr Blakemore said.
An order for additional chairs was placed some weeks ago, in hope of securing the additional space, while a friendly customer offered to construct tables to furnish the space.
"Everyone is trying to help and that's the great thing about this community," Mr Blakemore said.
Alium Dining owner Mark Brennan flirted with expanded dining space near his View Point restaurant, but opted to remain as is.
"As a fine dining restaurant, Alium doesn't suit the sitting outdoors and the experience is diminished when you're sitting away from the restaurant," Mr Brennan said.
Able to cater to just 10 diners per sitting, Mr Brennan has instead pivoted his business to adapt to the current environment.
Alium has begun offering an a la carte outdoor menu that caters to more relaxed dining.
"I had a business plan and vision of what we wanted to do and everyone was on board," he said.
"We would love to get back to normality but for the time being we are adapting to this new normal."
The restauranteur hopes eased restrictions could bring a change to the density requirements for indoor diners, from four square metres to two square metres.
An industry littered with additional rules was not one Mr Brennan envisaged entering, but said he's ready for the challenge.
"Hospitality is about being hospitable," he said.
"People want to visit a restaurant to relax and enjoy the dining environment and I hope they'll be able to freely do that again when it's safe to do so."