Northbeach Vision Novotel Unveils Plans For Former Splashes And More

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday April 1, 2008

By JODIE MINUS

THE former Splashes nightclub at the Novotel Northbeach could be transformed into a small grocery store in less than a year under refurbishment plans by hotel management.

General manager Walter Immoos' grand vision for the landmark North Wollongong hotel also includes an outdoor, wrap-around bar at the present site of the Mudcat Cafe, an Australia Post outlet and a small beachfront chapel for wedding ceremonies.

"The nightclub would be perfect for a 7-Eleven or something like that selling groceries and newspapers, so the hotel would become a mini shopping centre," Mr Immoos said.

"It's what is really needed in North Wollongong, because there is nowhere you can buy some of the basics ... there is no IGA or anything but there are a lot of people living in this area."

Mr Immoos said the plan would require an investor with capital and know-how.

He also hoped Novotel's landlord Thakral Operations Pty Ltd would give the green light to move Mudcat Cafe downstairs into the present Beach Bar site so the outdoor terrace could be transformed into a "family friendly" corner bar by March next year.

Both venues would include wooden decks built over existing planter boxes.

This would enable Mudcat to retain its alfresco dining at street level, while allowing the corner bar more space to wrap around from Cliff Rd to Bourke St.

Mudcat would occupy two-thirds of the present Beach Bar, with an Australian Post outlet in the rest of the site.

Also on the agenda for the 19-year-old hotel is new "high visibility" street-front signage, with the fig trees surrounding the present sign to be replaced with magnolia grandiflora.

The hotel is now undergoing a $1 million refurbishment by Melbourne architects Perrott Lyon Mathieson to lighten and brighten its lobby, arcade and Windjammers Restaurant.

The restaurant will have a state-of-the-art $25,000 induction buffet and banquette seating and is set to reopen on May 10.

Mr Immoos also hopes to build a small wedding chapel on an unused ocean-front verandah at Windjammers.

The Beach Boutique and Spa Indulgence will also be expanded.

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© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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