Jack & Jill’s Bar and Restaurant on Pirie St, Adelaide has outdoor parklet removed over unpaid bills

The owner of a popular city bar says he’s heartbroken after the council removed an outdoor dining area.

Jack & Jill's Bar and Restaurant owner Tom McLean. Picture: Emma Brasier

A popular CBD bar and restaurant has had its outdoor dining space ripped up after a longstanding conflict with the city council.

Adelaide City Council removed the outdoor dining area at Jack & Jill’s Bar and Restaurant on Pirie St on Sunday after the venue racked up $34,000 in unpaid permit fees.

Owner Tom McLean said he was devastated by the decision.

Mr McLean says he’s heartbroken by the decision. Picture: Emma Brasier

“This was never about not paying fees, it was about a justified approach that was fair for both business owners and the Adelaide City Council,” he said.

“While I am heartbroken at losing my parklet, my business will continue to fight to survive.”

The parklets were introduced by Adelaide City Council to help create additional outdoor dining areas for venues, in spots that were previously on-street carparks.

Businesses are charged the amount the parking spaces would create in revenue – on top of an additional parklet fee.

But Mr McLean is calling on the council to introduce a new fairer scheme, after some owners were only charged a fraction of the permit fees.

The council made the decision after Jack & Jill’s racked up $34,000 in unpaid licence fees. Picture: Emma Brasier

Chief executive officer Michael Sedgman said the parklet was removed after the business failed to meet council halfway.

“Council’s preference was and always had been, for Jack and Jill’s to renew its parklet permit, pay outstanding fees and continue operating the parklet,” Mr Sedgman said.

“However, the permit had expired and, despite repeated contact and offers of a payment plan by council, fees totalling over $34,000 across the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years remain unpaid by the operator, during which time the parklet has continued to operate in the public realm unlawfully.

“Multiple hospitality businesses in other locations in the city continue to operate parklets and engage with council to pay the required fees.”