Restaurant owner Gavin Olsen has been approved to turn two bays into alfresco dining on Angelo St, South Perth

Two parking bays could be the key to turning Angelo Street in South Perth into an entertainment precinct.

Olsen Butchers and Nextdoor restaurant owner and operator Gavin Olsen has been given approval by the City of South Perth to turn two bays outside his businesses into an area for outdoor dining in a 12-month trial.

The “parklet” will have tables, seating and outdoor ceiling fans. Space will be left for footpath users and the area will be made available for public use outside business hours.

A 126-signature petition against the proposal claimed the parklet would benefit only Mr Olsen’s businesses and reduce what was already limited parking, deterring people from coming to the Angelo Street precinct.

The trial will include looking at what effect the parklet has on nearby businesses.

Mr Olsen said the parklet was intended to create a more vibrant street.

The strip has had its ups and downs over the past year, including losing its third bank in five years.

Commonwealth Bank Australia closed its Angelo Street branch in December last year, ANZ shut its doors in September 2021 and National Australia Bank packed up shop along the same street more than four years ago.

But there was some good news, with WA’s first Coles Local supermarket opening on the corner of Angelo Street and Anstey Street last November.

“I’ve witnessed the street over the last 20 years of business with my father in South Perth change from what was a financial-based street with multiple banks and business operations to a family friendly mix of retail, medical, groceries, markets and food and beverage,” Mr Olsen said.

“I envisage a street with additional night-time food and beverage options for the community.

“The street has more visitors by foot, cycle and electric mobility than ever before.

“With the addition of the parklet, we can increase the number of people using Angelo Street and those people can linger longer, therefore more opportunity for businesses and customers.”

Mr Olsen said Olsen Butchers would soon expand its range to include hot pies, sausage rolls and ready-to-eat food items.

“This parklet will offer those customers a place to sit and enjoy their food, perhaps whilst reading a newspaper,” he said.

Nearly two-thirds of the 120 submissions received when the proposal was advertised supported the idea.

Cr Nic Coveney said approving the parklet would signal to small wine bars and restaurants that the city was open for business.

“The city has identified Angelo Street as one of several hubs it wants to activate ... the city does have levers to pull to make those areas more attractive and a parklet is one of those levers,” he said.

“The benefit to the surrounding businesses by way of having residents sitting in the area and taking in their surroundings and noticing that other stores exist and then shopping at their store far outweighs the loss (of parking).”

He said residents had raised the lack of afternoon and evening activities on Angelo Street during his council election campaign and he did not believe approving the parklet would create a “ruckus”.

“I would suggest those making that point have in fact never been to Nextdoor,” he said.

“Nextdoor is an upmarket restaurant and wine bar. It sells steaks for $250. In 2023 there are only six other restaurants in the whole of WA with a higher chef’s hat rating.”

Cr Mary Choy had proposed the parklet be given only a six-month trial but this was rejected 2-7 as councillors felt it was not long enough to properly judge the trial’s success.

“It will give council a good opportunity to see if the parklet licence operates as intended and hopefully this parklet will help activate Angelo Street, it’ll help promote the vibrancy and night-time economy that we all want for this very important part of our community,” mayor Greg Milner said.

Cr Glenn Cridland said it could help change South Perth’s “boring” reputation.

Cr Jennifer Nevard raised concerns at a briefing session earlier in the month that benches in the parklet could become an “incentive” for people sleeping rough.

Development and community services director Donna Shaw said if there was any antisocial behaviour, it would be best handled by the police.

Mr Olsen said additional CCTV would be installed to monitor the area.

“Olsen Butchers staff will be tasked with keeping the parklet neat, clean and tidy seven days per week,” he said.

The city is working on a policy about where parklets can be established.