Bar licences could transform city laneways
Business
19 Apr 12 @ 07:30am by Alice Higgins
FINALLY: Rob Dinnen and Rowan Edwards opened a bar in Leigh St this week. Picture: Luke Hemer
CITY laneways will remain stagnant backwaters unless restrictive liquor licensing laws are changed to help entrepreneurs open small bars, industry figures say.
They say immediately introducing a small bar liquor licence for low-risk venues, similar to ones operating in Perth and Sydney, is the key to transforming the city’s dead pockets into hives of activity.
They have applauded State Government and City Council plans to investigate how a new liquor licence category could be introduced to slash red tape and encourage tapas bars and “hole-in-the-wall” drinking spots.
Renew Adelaide CEO Ianto Ware said the current classifications allowed entrepreneurs to only choose from restrictive restaurant, hotel or entertainment venue licences, which were too inflexible for small bars.
Mr Ware said hotel licences forced small bars to also open a bottle shop, and restaurant licences did not permit bars to provide entertainment while serving food.
“We have got a licensing system that is out of date with current economic and social behaviours,” Mr Ware said.
“In most other capital cities, such as Sydney, they have produced a small bar category which has had a massive positive impact on their early evening economy.
“Over 12 months to five years, we would see more small bars opening and see a significant increase in the early evening economy.”
Renew Adelaide is a not-for-profit project whose aim is to revitalise empty buildings by helping community groups or new ventures move in.
The SA Property Council’s executive director Nathan Paine said a small bar licence should be included in legislation to bring Adelaide into line with other capital cities.
“Small bars have really driven laneway revitalisation in Melbourne and Perth,” Mr Paine told the City Messenger.
“Unless we can get a small bar category happening here it is going to be really difficult to activate a lot of these laneways.”.
West End Association president Andrew Wallace said he thought that a special category for small bars would prompt more entrepreneurs to open businesses and create more activity in the precinct.
Premier Jay Weatherill said the government was “favourably disposed” to introducing a special category for small-scale bars.
“We all agree that in the course of energising the city and revitalising our laneways, we want to see more small scale venues of various types,” Mr Weatherill said.
“The government is talking to stakeholders about what would be involved (to introduce a special category) and how it might best be done.”
Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood last week directed his staff to prepare a report on liquor licensing reform.
“There are countless examples of young entrepreneurs who cannot get liquor licenses or go through hell to get liquor licences,” Mr Yarwood told a council meeting.
“We certainly do not embrace our entrepreneurs or inspire them or support them and we need to change that.”
The Liquor Licensing Commissioner declined to comment on the matter.
LONG WAIT FOR OPENING
Rob Dinnen had to morph his vision for a trendy city bar into an entertainment venue before he was allowed to open.
Mr Dinnen this week unveiled Leigh St bar udaberri at the former Flight Centre site.
Last October he applied for a special circumstances licence to open a small wine bar and eatery for 100 people because he did not think a restaurant, hotel or entertainment venue licence would suit his business.
But the application was rejected and Mr Dinnen was forced to alter his business plan to an entertainment venue featuring DJs and live music while serving wine and food.
Last month he was given the green light to serve alcohol under an entertainment licence after a six month process and tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.
“The legislation was passed a long, long time ago and things have changed quite markedly, and our drinking culture has changed quite markedly, since then,” Mr Dinnen said.
“SA is one of the wine capitals of the world and we have maybe two wine bars.
“Trying to open a concept bar here is pretty difficult if you are not an entertainment venue or a restaurant.”
Mr Dinnen this week welcomed State Government and City Council plans to investigate how a new liquor licence category for small bars could be introduced to encourage tapas bars and “hole-in-the-wall” drinking spots.
He agreed changes to liquor licensing laws were needed to enliven laneways.
“If a small bar licence was introduced, you would find a lot more innovative and quirky venues popping up and they are the hallmark of a vibrant city,” he said.