NT Police use emergency liquor powers to shut down Gap View Hotel due to ‘public safety’ concerns

Police have used their emergency powers to shut down an Alice Springs pub and bottle-o due to public safety concerns.

On Thursday, acting Commander Drew Slape confirmed police had issued notice of suspension to a licenced premises the Gap View Hotel, on Gap Road in Alice Springs. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Police have used their emergency powers to shut down an Alice Springs pub for 48 hours after a spike in alcohol-related incidents.

On Thursday, Acting Commander Drew Slape confirmed police had issued notice of suspension to a licenced premises the Gap View Hotel, on Gap Road in Alice Springs.

Mr Slape said the decision was made after a “series” of dangerous incidents due to excessive alcohol consumption over the past week, with cops called to the venue four times on Wednesday alone.

“The Northern Territory Police remains committed to upholding public safety and enforcing regulations to prevent alcohol related harm within the community,” Mr Slape said.

He said the two-day temporary licence suspension “underscores the importance of responsible alcohol management”.

On Thursday, acting Commander Drew Slape confirmed police had issued notice of suspension to a licenced premises the Gap View Hotel, on Gap Road in Alice Springs. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“We urge all licensed establishments to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of patrons and the community at large,” Mr Slape said.

“We also remind the public to consume alcohol responsibly and to respect the laws and regulations governing licensed premises.”

This is the second time in 14 months that police have used their emergency powers to shut down the Gap View Hotel.

The drive through bottle shop, owned by Sydney-based hospitality giant Iris Capital, was also shut down in 2023 with police stating the venue posed “a threat to public safety both on premises and in the vicinity of the licensed premises”.

The Liquor Commission also suspended the Gap View Hotel’s liquor licence for 24 hours after it failed to use the Banned Drinkers Register scanner on 189 occasions in a single day — meaning more than a third of its sales on that day were in breach of the law.