‘This is the start of a new class system’: Tradies bite back over pub that banned hi-vis clothing

TRADIES have hit back at the old Irish pub in Paddington which, after a posh makeover, slammed its door in their faces in a quest to become the next hipster haunt.

Durty Nelly’s. which has proudly served pints to all walks of life for over 160 years was a popular place for local tradesmen before the refurb.

But a new dresscode banning hi-vis and ‘trade work wear’ effectively locked them out, with owner Leeroy Peterson defended his policy by saying “it doesn’t fit the demographic of the area anymore”.

But since the Central broke the story this week, there has been a huge public backlash with everyone from union officials and TV personalities to Premier Mike Baird backing the tradies.

Today, we went back to Paddington to ask the tradies themselves what they think of moves to squeeze them out of the inner city.

“Political correctness has weakened this nation, my friend,” said builder Chris Whitcroft who, for the record, was wearing a blue ‘tradie’ singlet.

“Let me get this beer into me and I’ll dictate the rest of your story to you.”

His tradie mate, Kevin Keegan, said the ban was the thin edge of the wedge.

“This is the beginning of a new class system in Australia and the Paddington postcode is at the forefront of ‘them and us’, he said.

“It’s un-Australian. The pub is where everyone is equal.

“No man talks up or down to another man based on what they earn, how they’re dressed or what they drive.

“It’s like the old saying, ‘You don’t judge a man by the cut of his jib.”

Chris and Kevin have been meeting for a drink in Paddington for 15 years.

Their pub of choice is The Royal Hotel which has a $15 ‘tradies special’ for a burger and beer.

At the Tea Gardens at Bondi Junction another group of workers on their lunchbreak pointed out the hypocrisy of the policy.

“Are there any pubs that don’t allow office workers?” one asked.

“What next ‘Sorry mate, no Prada suits allowed in here.’

“I mean, when we go out, we are dressed to the nines too, this is just what we wear to work.”

Tradie Mitchell Howes, a ‘beer plumber’ who installs beer taps at pubs said some are guilty of a double standard by wanting his services yet refusing him service.

“What blows me away is that we’re allowed in to fix the taps but we can’t have a drink there,” he said.

“How can they go through with it? It’s a joke.

“What are we supposed to do? Go home and get changed before going to the pub?”

Regular patron at The Royal and taxi driver Dave said it brings in a good mix of everyone.

“At the Royal, there are all sorts — Aussies, Fijians, the Irish. You can be drinking with a lawyer, a taxi driver or a tradie, it doesn’t matter,” he said.

The Royal’s open door policy stands at odds with its neighbour The Village Inn which has enforced an exclusive new dress code banning the clothes and boots tradies wear.

A sign on the pub’s window reads:

‘Dress code: Upscale fashionable attire. The list below is considerate not appropriate: Runners or Trainers, Steel Cap Boots, Open Casual or Soiled Footwear, Fancy Dress, Flannelette Shirts, Ripped or Torn Clothing, Shorts, Singlets, Sportswear, Caps or Beanies, Trade-Work Wear, or Soiled Clothing, Rats Tails, Mullets.’

For the record, when the Central walked past The Village Inn just after midday when tradies usually have lunch, the pub was completely empty.

Source: News Local - Central, Adam Bell, 28^th August 2015
Originally published as: ‘This is the start of a new class system’: Tradies bite back over pub that banned hi-vis clothing