NT liquor commission knocks back licence application for Bojangles Restaurant and Saloon

The NT liquor commission has rejected a new licence application for a once iconic NT pub, saying its current location was ‘not suitable’ for late night trading.

THE NT liquor commission has rejected a new licence application for the once iconic Bojangles Restaurant and Saloon in the Alice Springs CBD.

The commission’s decision to refuse the licence is the second time in a fortnight that applicants for night time venues in town’s centre have been jilted at the final hurdle.

Once known for its wild-west-in-the-outback themed decor, Bojangles closed in March 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The then-publican Anthony Habib was jailed in January 2021 and the pub’s licence cancelled after it was found he sold alcohol out of his taxi almost 150 times, in breach of the Liquor Act.

In a hearing for the new licence – initially conducted behind closed doors – the commission heeded objections from NT Police and also considered concerns raised by the licensee of the adjoining premises Rock Bar and the proprietor of a local security firm.

Bojangles once occupied a prime spot in the heart of Alice Springs.

In its objection, NT Police highlighted the “high prevalence” of incidents stemming from the watering hole, noting that Bojangles accounted for 20 per cent of the total police incident responses in the CBD precinct over a four-year period.

The licence applicant, Pearl Randhay, who already operates The Locals (formerly Piccolo’s) with her husband, slammed the objections brought forward by Rock Bar and the security firm, contending they were primarily motivated by their own commercial interests.

The commission sided with Ms Randhay on the matter, saying it would “give limited weight to (their) objections”.

However, the commission concluded that the premises, based on Todd St, would not be suitable for late night trading - an opinion shared by Superintendent Jody Nobbs.

Independent MLA Robyn Lambley blasted the commission’s decision, labelling it as “shortsighted”.

“This area of the CBD is already an adult entertainment area,” she said.

“Denying Bojangles a liquor licence will not stop people from drinking. It will not stop the mobs of children hanging around that area of town at night.

“It will do nothing to address the alcohol problem in Alice Springs. This is a case of Low hanging fruit for the liquor commission.”