Ms THEOPHANOUS (Northcote): My question is for the Minister for Industry Support and Recovery and I ask the Minister what steps are being taken to support our much loved brewpubs across the State?
The Victorian Government has recently announced a critical $251 million package of supports under the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund – which will go a long way to helping countless pubs, restaurants, bars and cafes in my electorate of Northcote to get back on their feet once restrictions ease.
Over the last couple of days, however, I’ve been in contact with a number of local businesses, including TallBoy & Moose and Moon Dog World, who have reached out to me, concerned that they may be ineligible for this funding due to the kind of license they hold.
These are much-loved brewpubs, meaning they hold producer licenses rather than the standard liquor licence because they both make their products on site and sell direct to public through hospitality services.
I know you share my view, Minister, that these venues are doing their absolute best to persevere through challenging circumstances. Eligibility in this funding stream would go a long way to assisting with this.
