Top End takeaway grog outlets have cut operating hours amid staff safety concerns
A number of takeaway alcohol outlets across the Top End are cutting back trading hours. See the revised opening times, and which stores are changing.
Business
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Endeavour Group and Coles bottle shops have cut their operating hours in the Top End at a number of outlets.
It comes amid a continued focus on alcohol policy across the Northern Territory, particularly in Central Australia.
Endeavour Group operates BWS bottle shops in the Territory and Coles operate Liquorland stores.
Combined they represent about 70 per cent of the NT’s bottle shops.
BWS Parap has shortened trading hours from 10pm to 9pm and BWS Nightcliff at the Woolworths complex has done the same.
Liquorland Palmerston have cut their trading hours from 9pm to 8pm, in line with amended trading hours at the Coles supermarket.
An Endeavour Group spokeswoman said the change was based on staff safety and the earlier closing time meant two people were on the premises to close the store.
“Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our team, customers and the community,” the spokeswoman said.
“In February we made the decision to reduce the trading hours of our BWS stores across Darwin by an hour.
“We continue to engage with police and local liquor accords across the NT.”
Coles, which runs Liquorland stores in Darwin, had not responded to a request for comment at time of publication.
A Department of Industry Tourism and Trade spokeswoman said the changes were generated by the licensees.
“The reduced trading hours are an initiative of the individual licensees,” a spokeswoman said.
“The Liquor Commission is supportive of any initiative introduced by licensees that result in a reduction of alcohol-related harm.
“There are no applications currently before the Liquor Commission seeking to permanently reduce takeaway liquor trading hours.”
Alcohol sales in the Northern Territory have been in the spotlight since Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and senior federal government ministers travelled to Alice Springs in January in response to soaring crime and anti-social behaviour.
Measures announced immediately after the visit included a three-month ban on alcohol sales on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays and a limit of one transaction a day in bottle shops.
Takeaway alcohol sales were restricted to between 3pm and 7pm on trading days.
A report prepared by Central Australia regional controller Dorelle Anderson recommended the reintroduction of alcohol restrictions in Aboriginal communities and town camps that had restrictions lifted when grog bans under federal Stronger Futures legislation lapsed last year.
Exclusive data has revealed a dramatic decline in criminal activity in Alice Springs since January when the sale of takeaway alcohol was heavily restricted.
In the year to December, property damage offences jumped nearly 60 per cent and commercial break-ins and alcohol-related assaults were up by more than 55 per cent.
Domestic violence assault offences were up by nearly 54 per cent and house break-ins by more than 22 per cent.
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