Local hair salon to have liquor application objected by Darwin council

A Darwin hairdresser probably thinks there is nothing more lonesome, morbid or drear than a possible decision to leave his business and salon with no beer.

Hair Dude owner Gary Strachan poses for a photo in his salon on Knuckey St, Darwin CBD. Picture: Keri Megelus

A hairdresser hoping to become the second salon in Darwin to serve beers while cutting their customers’ hair could have their liquor application in jeopardy.

Darwin council is set to oppose the application made by Hair Dude in the latest round of liquor applications.

Located on Knuckey St, Hair Dude put forward the application to serve alcohol to customers waiting for and having their hair cut at the salon, which would have made it the second salon to legally do so behind Casuarina Square’s Tommy Gun’s.

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But in a draft letter to the liquor commission, council community and regulatory services general manager Polly Banks said selling liquor would be outside the expectation of a hair salons operations.

“Council has concerns the granting of a liquor license for this business may impact the social conditions in the community, due to the sale of alcohol in this business not being commensurate with the usual and expected activities of a hairdressing salon,” she said.

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“Council proposes that the provision of alcohol as a complementary addition to hairdressing services is acceptable however the sale of alcohol as a separate item within the business is not.”

But Hair Dude owner Gary Strachan said he was just trying to enhance his customers’ experience legally, with the liquor commission recently telling salons they could face a $45,000 fine if they were caught serving alcohol without a licence, as council had suggested.

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“Council’s way out of step if they think hairdressing salons can give alcohol to clients without RSA certificates and the business being licensed,” he said. “It’s actually against the law.”

Mr Strachan was also confused something he thought would add to customer experience could be blocked given the current trend of businesses in the city.

“In this time with businesses closing all around me … we’re bucking the trend and trying to stimulate business, encourage our clients to have a more relaxing experience,” he said. “It’s not for the public in general, people can’t just walk in and buy a beer, it has to be our clients.”

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Mr Strachan was also frustrated he could face a brick wall at such a late stage in the process, with his case set to be heard next week.

“It’s cost me $10,000 to get this going, with businesses struggling and these people are trying to stop it? I’ve had the bar and all the fridges put in, I did that all on the basis that no one objected,” he said.

“If they really wanted to, object to it in the time period so businesses don’t spend money on the infrastructure.”

According to the liquor legislation, Mr Strachan will have a right of reply should council oppose the application.