Backflip after Australia Day celebrations ‘banned’ at dozens of popular Perth drinking holes

The owner of a string of pubs across the country has apologised after claiming patrons would be banned from celebrating Australia Day at its venues because the day causes “sadness” and “hurt”.

Hospitality giant Australian Venue Co owns 200 pubs and bars, including well-known venues in Perth such as the Parkerville Tavern, Market Grounds, Raffles Hotel and The Court.

Parkerville Tavern WA.

It also operates the Bassendean Hotel, Guildford Hotel and the Claremont Hotel.

The company announced on Monday that it would not celebrate Australia Day, because the public holiday caused “sadness for some members of our community” and “hurt for some of our patrons and our team”.

However, later on Monday an Australian Venues Co spokesman acknowledged the comments had caused concern and confusion.

“We sincerely regret that – our purpose is to reinforce community in our venues, not divide it,” he said.

“It is not for us to tell anyone whether or how to celebrate Australia Day. We acknowledge that and we apologise for our comments.

“It certainly wasn’t our intention to offend anyone.”

Australian Venues Co employs 9600 people across the country and serves 15 million patrons a year.

“Across our community of team members and patrons, many different views are held, and we acknowledge that,” the spokesman said.

“Whether you choose to celebrate Australia Day or not, everyone is welcome in our pubs, always.”

There is shifting sentiment toward Australia’s national day, with local governments moving away or scaling back its large-scale events.

This year, Woolworths and Aldi decided not to stock Australia Day merchandise in their stores ahead of the January 26 public holiday.

Several local councils have also dropped Australia Day events as attitudes shift on holding commemorations on January 26.

However, not all councils have shunned January 26, with Wanneroo residents strongly signalling to their council that they want its citizenship ceremonies – for many years touted as the nation’s biggest – to remain on Australia Day.

The Australian Hotels Association declined to comment on how individual pubs run their own business.

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