Luna Hospitality boss Trent Redman slams ‘ludicrous’ ban on unvaccinated patrons

A pro-choice Brisbane nightclub operator says the State Government’s vaccine mandate has given the battered hospitality industry “the raw end of the deal”.

An unvaccinated Brisbane nightclub operator has slammed the State Government’s Covid-19 vaccination mandate as “ludicrous”.

Luna Hospitality Group director Trent Redman said the announcement that people without Covid vaccinations would not be allowed in pubs, cafes, cinemas, stadiums, shopping centres and other venues from December 17 was another blow to the hospitality sector that has suffered two years of restrictions.

“We are still undecided about what we are going to do but I don’t think we’re going to have a choice in the matter but I don’t agree with it, not at all. Once again hospitality is getting the raw end of the deal,” he said.

“I’m actually not vaccinated. I’m not anti-vaxxer. I’m not pro-vaxxer. I think everyone should have their own choice to make. I think it’s ridiculous that if I don’t get vaccinated the business that I have built from the ground up and I’m being told I can’t work there.”

Luna Hospitality Group director Trent Redman at his Ivy Blue Rooftop Bar at Caxton St. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Mr Redman, 33, who recently opened Ivy Blu Rooftop Bar on Caxton St and will soon open Su Casa in Ann St in Fortitude Valley, said he will have to make a decision in the next week on whether to be vaccinated so he can work at his venues after the mandate deadline.

“I’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars across all the venues during Covid, to open them, build them, get them operational, employ people. They’ve taken away any kind of freedom we have. I think that’s absolutely ludicrous.”

Mr Redman said the industry will have to wait for the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation to work through the Government’s mandate to see the fine details.

However, he said the majority of people who are getting vaccinated are not late night bar and nightclub patrons.

“The ones that are the vulnerable ones, they are more susceptible to getting it and it (and vaccination) will decrease the severity,” he said.

“But most of the people who are come to hospitality venues, especially nightclubs and bars like ours are not in that vulnerable demographic.

“So it will be hard for us to deal what we have been dealt.”

Hallmark Group director Scott Hempel said they have preparing for the arrival of the Covid vaccination mandate for some time.

The group, which is one of the largest private venue operators in Southeast Queensland, will reopen its Brunswick Mall pub Finn McCools on Friday November 12.

Mr Hempel said they would work through the full vaccination process and were now concentrating on staff.

“We are all pretty much vaccinated but we have a few stragglers left,” he said.