Plans have been submitted to council which could revolutionise the Armstrong Street North hospitality precinct.
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Beloved beer hall Hop Temple, currently accessible from an umbrella-covered laneway, could open up a new entrance with street frontage, if an application is approved by council.
Hop Temple representatives were repeatedly approached for comment.
The plans, as seen on the council website, include an expanded front bar and kitchen, with the existing building to be retained.
A wall between the current bar and the new area would be removed, and new toilets would be installed.
The current vacant storefront's windows and door would be removed, and replaced with a new door to Armstrong Street on the northern side, and bi-fold windows, which are shown open to the street in concept images.
The venue is also applying to expand the liquor licence - it's noted the focus would remain on serving food, with no change to occasional live music.
It's noted the site is under a heritage overlay, but this does not impact on the proposal in any way.
The planning documents conclude the new licence would not affect amenity in the area, and would provide more employment and add to the "vibrancy" of the area.
Work is also continuing at Aunty Jack's on Mair Street, opposite Civic Hall - the new venue is understood to be associated with Hop Temple, and the state government's Australian Centre for Craft Beer Excellence.
The area around the GovHub is rapidly transforming with dozens of new restaurants, food outlets, and bars opening in the past 12 months.
Several pubs across Ballarat have either been bought recently, are closed for renovations, or remain on the market - these include the Pub With Two Names, which will reopen under Creswick's Farmers Arms publicans Christine Molloy and Richard McKeown, and the former Miners Tavern on Lydiard Street, which was sold earlier this month.
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