Collie Futures Fund – Focus
Our small grants continue to make a big difference. This month, we step into the kitchen at The Victoria Hotel in Collie to share with you how funding from the Collie Futures Small Grants Program has enhanced operations. It’s all part of wider efforts to create a strong and resilient future by diversifying Collie’s economy by growing industry and jobs.
Kitchen upgrade dishes up more meals, new jobs
The Victoria Hotel in Collie, known as The Vic, is now an even better place to enjoy a meal with mates. Thanks to a redesign of the hotel’s commercial kitchen that has sped up service, the Throssell Street venue is now well placed to keep up with demand for food during busy periods.
This means locals and visitors can expect to enjoy an enhanced experience without the delays previously experienced when wanting to enjoy the Schnitzels, parmigiana and steak sandwiches the establishment is known for.
“Part of the reason we asked for the grant is because we were getting so busy, so inundated with orders, that we couldn’t actually accommodate them,” manager and licensee of The Victoria Hotel, Tracey Denholm, said.
“We had to – a couple of times – shut our kitchen for a period so the cooks and the kitchen started to catch up before we would go out for meals. Otherwise, people would have been waiting hours.”
The Victoria Hotel embarked on a redesign of its commercial kitchen to improve workflow and increase practicality. Expanding the size of the kitchen wasn’t an option, so the improvements had to be made within the confines of the space available.
“What we’ve found with our kitchen upgrade is that it’s made everything more efficient, more workable and easier for staff to get the meal orders in and get the meal orders out,” Tracey said.
Sharing the WA Government’s commitment to Local Content, The Victoria Hotel engaged local contractors and suppliers including renovators, electricians, plumbing, painting and flooring businesses. The project has also led to new ongoing employment opportunities, with three kitchen hands and two bar staff positions created since the completion of the kitchen project.
The iconic venue serves lunch every day of the week, and dinner Tuesday to Saturday. Menu items include grilled snapper tacos, and warm pumpkin beetroot and feta salad.
A separate short-stay accommodation refurbishment project is being undertaken by the owner of The Victoria Hotel, which dates back to 1898.
The Victoria Hotel’s kitchen is one of many transformations that have taken place or are underway in Collie as the town enhances its hospitality and accommodation offerings as part of wider efforts to diversify the local economy. With the assistance of WA Government funding, transformational projects are boosting the appeal of Collie as a place to live and visit, creating new business and job opportunities while supporting the tourism sector and the overall transition of Collie’s economy as it moves away from a reliance on coal.
