Fraser Short buys Byron's Balcony Bar & Restaurant

Restaurateur-publican Fraser Short has acquired Byron Bay's landmark Balcony Bar & Restaurant.

Situated in the heart of Byron, Short will send in former Astral chef Sean Connolly to oversee the menu when he takes over in September. Short wants to tread carefully with any tweaks at the venue.

He says he'll work closely with the local community, and won't change its name.

The success of Bronte's Three Blue Ducks team with its farm project at Byron, has seen a greater number of Sydney hospitality players eying the northern NSW town.

Short, who operates The Morrison in Sydney, is also part of a consulting team of volunteers opening a restaurant later this year at Broadway, in Sydney, to support the long-term unemployed and young offenders.

The project is backed by the Jesuit religious order.