Kalgoorlie pub fails to get lockout lifted
The Exchange Hotel, one of Kalgoorlie’s most iconic pubs, has failed in its attempt to overturn a weekend lockout prohibition on its liquor licence.
The midnight lockout, which prevents patrons from entering or re-entering the pub after midnight on Friday and Saturday nights, has been in place now for six years, due to the number of incidences of alcohol fuelled violence at the pub and the growing number of late night venues on Hannan Street,.
The 116 year old Exchange Hotel is the only premises on the street with a midnight lockout in place and hotel co-owner Lawson Douglas says that unfairly disadvantages his business.
However in a decision handed down last week, the Director of Liquor Licensing said lifting the lockout was not in the public interest.
"The applicant appears to have missed the point that I would not have granted the current extended trading permit without the lockout condition," Director's Delegate Brett Snell said.
"[The applicant] has therefore neglected to offer any strategies to mitigate the potential risk of disorder, disturbance, amenity or other alcohol-related harm that will likely result, should the current application be successful."
Kalgoorlie has always had a reputation around the country for 24 hour service and scantily clad barmaids. However, more mature and food orientated establishments have been opening there with the town’s changing socio-economic profile.
Mr Snell said that was irrelevant: alcohol-induced problems were still an issue and other premises operating beyond midnight were managing it.
"Despite any purported change in the hospitality landscape, the level of alcohol-related offending in the locality remains consistently high," he said.
"There are still four functional licensed premises that are able to trade beyond midnight in the locality to meet the requirements for the public in post-midnight trade.”
Mr Douglas however said it was unfair.
There are two sides to every argument, and I strongly believe we put forward a very good argument," Mr Douglas told the ABC.
"There were surveys, support letters, we've very clearly demonstrated public interest in having the lockout removed."
by Leon Gettler - 23/6/16
