Nightlife is about to take a step up in Romsey.
Five Kings Cafe has just been granted a permit for a liquor licence and permission to more than double its capacity from 30 patrons to 76.
Cafe owner and manager Vanessa Meredith said the business would also extend its opening hours on Sunday to Wednesday from 7am-8pm and on Thursday to Saturday from 7am-11pm to offer more evening meals.
Ms Meredith said once the business had a liquor licence, which could take about six weeks, it would be able to offer “tapas and wine bar” style meals, as well as regular tastings and events.
She said the extended business hours would also help the venue take on more hospitality trainees.
Macedon Ranges council approved the cafe’s application for a liquor licence permit and waived a requirement for the restaurant to provide an extra 10 carparking spaces at its February 28 meeting.
The council agreed to waive the required parking because most other Romsey businesses would be closed at the restaurant’s busiest times.
“We need life back in Romsey,” councillor Henry Bleeck told the meeting.
Councillor Bill West agreed, saying: “lots of things have happened to Romsey”, including the recent loss of the town’s only pub.
Ms Meredith said the business was planning to apply for council permission to host regular live music events in the future.
The business presently can apply to host live music at occasional events.
