Kick Start QLD: Carpark coldie could save bars, breweries

Struggling breweries are calling on the State Government to consider licensing laws that could double or triple the number of patrons they have at once, while still adhering to social distancing rules.

STRUGGLING breweries want patrons to be able to have a carpark “froffy”, under plans to recover from COVID-19.

They have called for the State Government to consider licensing laws that allow breweries to use their carparks to accommodate social distancing permanently while COVID-19 restrictions are in place.

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Brewers say the Government needs to incentivise growth in the sector to stem cashflow problems and mass casual staff losses while considering GST reductions and excise reforms.

White Lies Brewing Co owner Lee McAlister-Smiley lost his major revenue streams overnight and has converted to making hand sanitiser. Picture: Chris McCormack

White Lies Brewing Co owner Lee McAlister-Smiley, who lost his major revenue streams overnight and has converted to making hand sanitiser, said temporary licensing laws should be considered to allow breweries to use their carparks.

While his Sumner Park venue could handle 20-40 patrons with social-distancing, the carpark would allow up to 60 people, making it more financially viable.

While there is currently a permit that allows this, brewers must reapply at a cost of $71.65 for temporary approval each time.

“They can enforce rules and regulations at the drop of a hat, so surely they can lift restrictions and help small breweries and bars at the drop of a hat,” he said.

“For small businesses, every week this goes on it’s harder to come back from.

“Small bars are already teetering on the edge … now how many will survive?”

An Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation spokeswoman said a permanent approval – at a cost of $94.15 – to include an outdoor area as part of a licensed premises may not be appropriate where the licensee shares the space with other businesses, such as a communal carpark, or where there are other reasons why the proposed area may not be suitable to be licensed.

BrewDog assistant manager Kinga Nowacka with operations manager Calvin McDonald, who predicts the industry would remain uncertain for years to come. Picture: Richard Walker

In such instances, licensees often seek temporary approvals.

BrewDog operations manager Calvin McDonald has seen a 95 per cent reduction in revenue at the company’s Murarrie brewery and predicts the industry would remain uncertain for several years.

Adrian Cubit of 4 Brothers Brewing in Toowoomba said his business, which is down almost 70 per cent compared to this time last year, would take months to recover.

4 Brothers Brewing managing director Adrian Cubit said his business was down almost 70 per cent and would take months to recover.