Brew Boys owner pleads for small bars to be extended to suburbs
AN INDEPENDENT brewer operating outside of the CBD has called on the State Government to relax small-bar laws, claiming it is holding back business.
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AN INDEPENDENT brewer operating outside of the CBD has called on the State Government to relax small-bar laws, claiming it is holding back business.
Regency Rd Microbrewery Brew Boys owner Simon Sellick wants to transform his business from a wholesaler to a retailer — so he is able to sell beer direct to the public — but his applications have been rejected four times because of small-bar licensing rules.
Mr Sellick has spent $5000 attempting to gain a small-bar licence in Prospect and said he was disappointed small-bar licences had not been extended outside the CBD.
“It’s tough luck if you are in the suburbs,” Mr Sellick said.
“(The State Government) want your money, they want your business, but they do nothing to help you.
“Prospect has nothing, we are crying out for a hotel or bar. It’s bloody ridiculous.”
The Small Venue Licence was introduced in 2013 to allow venues accommodating fewer than 120 people to sell alcohol without offering food.
Under the Liquor Licensing Act, only businesses intended for the CBD could apply for a Small Venue Licence.
More than 70 small bars have opened in the city since the law was changed.
Last month, Supreme Court Justice Tim Anderson handed down his recommendations to change the Liquor Licensing Act following an eight-month review.
Included in his recommendations was extending small-bar licences to North Adelaide.
Adelaide Lord Mayor Martin Haese told the City North Messenger at the time that he was wary of expanding beyond North Adelaide.
“My concern would be it could kill the goose that laid the golden egg,” he said.
“We need to make sure the fledgling businesses in the city are sustainable.”
Brew Boys was started by Mr Sellick in 2008 and makes nine different beers.
Mr Sellick, who has been a brewer for 17 years, also runs a cellar door at his brewery at 151 Regency Rd, Croydon.
Brew Boys beer is available at more than 60 locations across Australia.
Mr Sellick was sympathetic to the concerns of hoteliers but condemned the State Government for restricting the licence to the CBD.
Mr Sellick wants to open a small bar in Prospect to cater for young professionals.
“You need to sell retail, not wholesale,” he said. “I’d love a hotel.
“But bloody hell you’d need a couple of million to get it going. I don’t have that kind of money.
“A small bar I could set-up for about $50,000 or $60,000.
“I would need at least $80,000 just to set up a kitchen (under a different licence).”
Prospect Mayor David O’Loughlin reiterated his desire to see small bar licensing in the area.
“This is about diversity and letting the market decide,” Mr O’Loughlin said.
“As far as I know, brewers are the only manufacturers who can’t have retail outlets for their own products because of archaic licensing.”