Plans to build Hard Rock, the popular American live music venue and restaurant, at The Corso in Manly have been scrapped after the developers withdrew their application.
Initium Management Pty Ltd filed the DA2022/0662 for Hard Rock in Manly in May 2022. The popular restaurant was supposed to move into the former site of Billabong, the surf apparel store that shut down in June 2021.
The ground floor and mezzanine of the three-storey building beside the Boardrider Backpackers & Budget Motel were earmarked for the restaurant.
Submitted plans indicate that the venue planned to operate from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. with live music throughout the week. The restaurant had been designed to accommodate 534 people.
Whilst some sectors were hopeful that the venue will help revive Manly post-pandemic, some locals voiced their opposition to the proposed venue.
Good for Manly President Candy Bingham, for instance, pointed out that Manly CBD has four existing pubs “within 400 metres” of each other, which brings the total licensed capacity to 5,950 people at a time. She also said that Manly there are over 100 licensed venues in the CBD.
Milestone Pty Limited also objected to the proposal by pointing out that their client, The New Brighton Hotel, has a pub, restaurant, and live entertainment in the town centre. It stands next door to the proposed venue.
Another resident said that another pub at The Corse will only “will only exacerbate the problems at night with alcohol-affected patrons.” Instead, Manly needs more retail establishments to attract commercial activities during the day.
Initium Management Pty Ltd withdrew its application in August 2022. A spokesperson for the Northern Beaches Council confirmed that there is no active or subsequent applications for Hard Rock on the record.
