Listen up Melbourne because there’s yet another reason for you to get double jabbed with the news that the city’s laneways are set to be utterly transformed this summer.
The City of Melbourne’s Inside Out initiative will make the famous laneways the place to be, with trading, dining, and entertainment spilling outdoors for the summer, as per Time Out.
The initiative would close selected laneways to all vehicles on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights to allow hospitality to dominate.
It all depends of course on Victoria reaching its double vaccinated rate of 70% which is currently forecast to happen in late October.
Retail trading hours might also be extended so you can splash the cash long into the night as the warmer months arrive. Buskers could be included to keep the crowds entertained too.
“This will be an exciting first for Melbourne,” Lord Mayor Sally Capp said. “Imagine a bustling market with clothing racks and trestle tables on the street, along with food stalls and buskers that will help bring the vibrancy back to our beautiful city, safely.”
If that wasn’t enough to convince you to get double jabbed, the city is also planning to bring back the popular Melbourne Money programme, giving punters up to 20% off their bill at select CBD venues.
200 outdoor trading permits have already been granted with hopefully many more to follow. The City of Melbourne will look to fast-track new applications from interested business owners to increase the initiative.
It all sounds very European and I’m here for it. With initiatives like this, hopefully Melbourne is on the right path to rejuvenate itself after this latest lengthy lockdown.
More information is expected on this in the next few weeks so we’ll keep you posted with any developments.
For more on this topic, follow the Travel Observer.
Check out this guide to the ten best Melbourne lanes and arcades:
