Adelaide’s small bars poised for long-awaited lifeline, as State Government considers special rules around social distancing
The four square metre rule could change for small bars under new plans being considered to give a much-needed lifeline to venues desperate for business after lockdown.
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Major changes are being considered for SA’s small bars, with special rules to help them stay alive through lockdowns.
The Advertiser can reveal that the State Government’s Transition Committee will consider cutting the four square metre rule to just two square metres for small bars.
Venues currently have permission for up to 80 people, on the basis they have multiple areas that can take up to a maximum of 20.
But they must have no more than one person per four square metres.
From Friday, that increases to 75 people per room and a maximum of 300 people overall.
From June 29, there will be no total cap on numbers for indoor venues, but the four square metre rule will stays in place.
However, small bar operators say those moves do little to help them, as their smaller footprints make adhering to the spacing restrictions commercially impossible.
The Advertiser can also reveal the Transition Committee will examine simpler arrangement that allows them to have half the capacity that their usual licences permit.
Premier Steven Marshall declined to detail specifics of options for small bars, saying discussions were ongoing.
However, he today told Parliament the Government was committed to a solution for a sector central to Adelaide’s CBD reinvigoration.
Mr Marshall told Question Time there was work underway at both the state and national level on ways to safely get more patrons in to venues.
However, it is understood SA could move even if there is no national agreement.
Mr Marshall told Parliament: “Our goal is to get people back to work, back to normality, but doing it in a safe and considered way”. In a separate move, the State Government has announced changes that let venues expand the space in which they can host customers, to better make use areas that are normally off limits to patrons.
Government figures show that more than 75 licensed venues across SA have already been given approval to do so.
More than half are in the country.
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Attorney-General Vickie Chapman said: “By allowing venues to take these short term measures to increase their capacity while maintaining appropriate social distancing precautions, we are helping these businesses make the most of eased restrictions.”
Opposition treasury spokesman Stephen Mullighan said many small bars faced permanent closure.
“These businesses are on their knees and when they are promised a solution by the Premier, they deserve a solution within a month,” he said.
A 2019 Adelaide University report attributed the CBD’s small bars and diners to helping city-goers feel safer and reducing alcohol-fuelled violence.
It estimated 1250 jobs had been created since small venue laws were introduced in 2013.
Adelaide City Council deputy Lord Mayor Alexander Hyde has said small bars were an essential part of the city’s economic and social landscape.