Newcastle’s small bars and restaurants could stay open for longer under trial set for October
The question remains will a trial go ahead or will COVID-19 delay it? A tentative trial date has been set that could see Newcastle’s small bars and restaurants open for longer, but we’ll just have to wait and see.
Newcastle
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A Newcastle small bar owner said a trial set to start in October, allowing the city’s small bars and restaurants to stay open for longer and increase their drink menus, could give business a chance “to trade out of the hole”.
The Newcastle Committee for Night Time Jobs and Investment — formed after the State government said it was taking steps towards scrapping the city’s controversial lockout laws — have flagged October 1 as the predicted start date, offering small bars and restaurants the opportunity to employ more people.
But there’s plenty of hoops to jump through before the trial can get off the ground.
It will all hinge on the unpredictable COVID-19 pandemic, which is rapidly changing every day.
It’s also whether planning approvals can be completed in time, while data collection and performance measurement information is also on the list of things to do to get it up and running.
Coal and Cedar Owner Ethan Ortlipp is sceptical as to whether the October 1 start date is achievable.
“It can be a six to eight week lead time on the DA at least, so that’s in October and then it’s got to sit with ILGA so there’s another month or six week so you’re looking into November, December to start,” he said.
But, he believes the changes will give struggling small bars and restaurants hope.
“We reopened four weeks ago, the first three weeks were strong trying to make up for a 14 week closure,” Mr Ortlipp added.
“The last eight to nine days it’s fallen off a cliff, most people are down probably 60-70 per cent because of all the recent COVID-19 scares.
“For a lot of small operators, who some have voluntarily closed this past week, it might be a bit of hope, give everyone a chance.”
The committee met this week to nut out the details of the proposed trial which is focusing on delivering more jobs and creating a vibrant night time economy.
“With local businesses under extraordinary pressure and record high unemployment in the region, it is critical we do everything we can to support jobs and economic growth in the city,” Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said.
“But there’s quite a few balls up in the air at the moment.”
Although, he’s warned the trial is not going to be open slather for any hospitality venue to do whatever they want.
“Throughout the trial these venues will need to demonstrate their commitment to keeping their patrons safe and doing right by the wider community,” he said.
“It’s that’s successful then it would progress to look at more areas, it has a needs basis.”
Committee Chair Mark Latham MLC said data collection during the trial will be critical to ensure it delivers jobs and an economic benefit.
“We will be collecting the data to ensure that there is full accountability from participating venues,” he said.
“If we want this to be success we are going to make sure we have the numbers to back this up, and for tourism to be a success in Newcastle public safety and night time activity must walk hand-in-hand.”
Lockout laws are due to be reviewed in January.