Popular Exmouth brewery Froth looking to expand to Geraldton and open brewery at old Skeetas site

Geraldton could have a new watering hole, with a craft beer brewery considering a prominent site on the Geraldton foreshore to call home.

Froth Craft Brewery began in Exmouth in 2017 where it was the first microbrewery in the Gascoyne and Pilbara regions.

Its popularity led to expansion to the South West in Bunbury, before opening another location in the northern suburbs of Perth.

At the City of Greater Geraldton council meeting on Tuesday April 30, councillors will vote on whether to approve a venue in the Geraldton CBD, in what would be the brewer’s fourth location.

According to the plans, Froth is looking to open a tavern based on the corner of Cathedral Avenue and Foreshore Drive — the site of the old Skeetas restaurant.

City development services director Ryan Hall said it would be a great inclusion for the town centre.

“It’s a unique location right on the foreshore, which I think is a building being a little bit underutilised,” he said.

“This proposal brings a rejuvenation to a really prominent site in the Geraldton city centre.”

Accompanying the indoor venue would be an outdoor beer garden, where the adjoining carpark currently sits.

A microbrewery was also considered for the application, but was ultimately excluded.

A number of pubs are already in the area, including the Foreshore Hangout Lounge, the Old Man & the Sea rooftop bar and Freemasons Hotel.

However, Mr Hall said adding more attractions to the city centre may help business.

“We’ve got a growing population and have increasing tourism occurring,” he said.

“The city centre is designed as the place to be for this type of development.

“Competition is proven to be good for business because it attracts more people into the area, and they can end up complementing each other.”

Mr Hall said a number of local stakeholders were consulted on the plans, and were given a chance to express their feelings and concerns.

The city received feedback to help manage any potential impacts should the proposal be approved.

When asked about public safety at night, he said it can be beneficial to have more venues open.

“Venues like this are highly regulated through State Government legislation and liquor licensing,” Mr Hall said.

“Venues are very good at managing what happens on site and the city works closely with the police.

“The more places that are active and open improves the safety because you’ve got more eyes on the street and more people around.”

The project is understood to be worth about $600,000, but could take years to develop, according to the council.

One of Froth’s owners declined to comment when contacted by the Geraldton Guardian.