NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBS, BARS AND TAVERNS

Western Australia’s pubs, bars and taverns will be provided with more opportunity to better meet customer demands and create more jobs as a result of part of the State Government’s reforms to the Liquor Control Act 1988, recently tabled in Parliament.
Australian Hotels Association (WA) CEO Bradley Woods said the McGowan Government’s reforms to the State’s liquor laws will include a provision to allow existing pubs, bars and taverns the ability to activate nearby areas and create local micro-festivals.
“The AHA has long advocated for reforms to ensure existing licensed establishments can erect pop-up style bars in areas close to their premises,” Mr Woods said.
“Venues will be able to give customers what they are seeking and do so without facing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, recognising that they have a proven track record in operating a licensed premises professionally and responsibly.”
The reforms will mean existing licensed properties will now be able to;
• Activate areas adjacent to the venue, utilising their existing liquor license to establish a pop-up style venue. Additional approvals from local government authorities will not be required to activate such spaces.
• Participate in micro-festivals utilising their existing license to create pop-up bars.
• Cater at short-term events away from the licensed premises, requiring only a long-term permit to do so, as opposed to requiring a permit for each individual event.
Mr Woods said the reform was welcome news for established businesses who generate and maintain over 30,000 jobs in WA.
“The ability for existing venues to activate space will have a direct and positive impact on job creation and ensure the state’s liquor laws allows WA’s bars, pubs and taverns to satisfy modern customer demands,” Mr Woods said.
“It is encouraging to see reforms that will deliver a more tourism-friendly hospitality culture and one that will facilitate growth and job creation.”
“Existing establishments need flexibility and freedom – it is important that their past record of operating a licensed premises responsibly is acknowledged.”
“WA’s bars, pubs and taverns make enormous investments in their business and local communities. They will now have a greater ability to leverage off this investment to activate spaces such as laneways, car parks, streetscapes and parks.”
While the concessions for existing businesses are a step in the right direction, it remains absolutely critical that the issue of large pop-up beer barns is addressed.
The AHA(WA) is in continuing discussions with the State Government to convey the serious and escalating risks posed by the abuse of occasional permits to operate large pop-up venues.
“Illegitimate, large scale beer barns have a long-term negative impact on job creation and training opportunities for Western Australians and it is important that the State Government addresses this issue as a matter of priority,” Mr Woods said.
“We look forward to seeing the detail of the reforms to WA’s liquor laws when the legislation is tabled in Parliament tomorrow.”