Manly local businesses are officially reclaiming the iconic Corso pedestrian mall for outdoor dining to transform the famous thoroughfare from a simple walkway into a social hub for the community.
The shift comes fourteen months after the Northern Beaches Council green-lit the Manly Place Plan, which was created following extensive talks with local resident groups, the Manly Business Chamber, and young people. This plan focuses on making the heart of the town more inviting for those who live nearby and more attractive for people visiting from across Sydney.
Until 2016, the area was a popular spot for outdoor meals, but a long-standing disagreement over rental fees and space rights between the previous council and two former restaurants caused all the tables and chairs to be removed.
The first business to lead the change is Get Sashimi, a Japanese restaurant that recently received the go-ahead to set up seating on the northern side of the mall. Council officials have noted that two other shops have already handed in their paperwork to do the same, and there is space for at least twelve more businesses to follow suit.
To take part in the program, shop owners must pay a four hundred and fifty dollar application fee along with an annual rent of nine hundred dollars for every square metre of public space they use. This new system is designed to provide a clear and fair way for shops to operate outside without the confusion of the past.
The main goal of the project is to bring a sense of energy back to the area by encouraging people to gather and socialise in the open air. Mayor Sue Heins explained that while the topic of using public space for private tables has caused some debate in the past, it is a practical way to stop the mall from feeling like a wide, empty bowling alley.
By redesigning key parts of the town centre, the council hopes to create a more relaxed atmosphere where the community can sit and enjoy the coastal environment. Local feedback has shown that most people are ready to see the return of the cafe culture that once defined this part of the Northern Beaches.
Published Date 02-February-2026
