Tavern proponent Lygon Street in Torquay

Alex de Vos
A nightclub owner has hit back at residents who claim his proposed Bell Street tavern will increase public drunkenness in “boozy” Torquay.
Ripe Lounge owner Sam Beel said his tavern for up to 120 patrons would bring a “Lygon Street-feel to Torquay”.
“We’re not trying to run a nightclub – we’re trying to run a multi-age venue,” Mr Beel said.
“The tavern will be classed as a wine and dining precinct and will cater for functions and weddings.”
Mr Beel said he had rec-ruited a chef from one of television chef Gordon Ram-say’s restaurants in London.
“There’s going to be great food, an extensive wine list and live acts. We’re catering for a wide demographic,” Mr Beel said.
He also rejected claims from Surf Coast Community and Ratepayers Association members that the tavern would lead to a spike in glass on the streets.
“You can’t blame the mess on the streets on the venues because we would only sell our product at the tavern,” Mr Beel said.
Surf Coast Community and Ratepayers Association slammed Mr Beel’s venue plan in last week’s Independent, saying it would increase public drunkenness.
The association’s Spencer Leighton said he was “absol-utely against” the tavern plans.
“The ratepayers association says no, no, no to more liquor licenses but they (authorities) seem to be handing them out like junk mail,” Mr Leighton said.
The association’s Lyn Smith said Torquay was already “a boozy bunch of people”.
Surf Coast Shire received objections to Mr Beel’s proposed tavern from residents and neighbouring businesses concerned about increased noise, parking and activities common to larger hotels such as live music.
But the shire’s planning committee gave the tavern a green light to operate until midnight on weekdays and to 1am on weekends.
The tavern will occupy the premises of Ripe and a neighbouring former wine bar.
Geelong businessman Max Findlay has told the Independent he plans to open a tavern behind his Nocturnal Donkey restaurant.
Mr Findlay said council had knocked back his first application for the tavern four years ago but he was confident a second bid would win approval.