Big changes for WA pubs

All signs are pointing to the slow death of traditional workers’ bars in Western Australia.

The old Perth pub is dying. And it’s coming back, just not in the way we have known them.

Traditional workers’ bars are being replaced by renovated booze barns and brew pubs that offer refined food options and premium wines.

The statistics tell the story: there has been an increase in the number of WA liquor licences recently cancelled or surrendered, including restaurants. So 109 licences were approved, while just 26 were ended in 201415.  And 124 were granted last year but 68 dropped out.

Australian Hotels Association WA chief Bradley Woods said demand was now growing for restricted tavern licences.

In the past three years, licences approved had doubled, jumping from 36 to 72.

The industry changed in 1998 when new licences were not bound to include accommodation.

And it’s creating challenges for hotels.

Chris Angelkov’s family has been running the Charles Hotel in North Perth for nearly three decades and he says it’s never been tougher than now. It now costs him $500,000 just to pour a beer with payroll, land taxes and other running costs. Added to that are the liquor store chains and relaxed trading laws.

“There are impediments which are making it very hard to make a go of it at the moment,” Mr Angelkov told news.com.au. “This is the worst recession I’ve experienced in 26 years of business.

“It’s getting to the stage where it’s hard to make a living. Everyone thinks it’s beer and skittles but it’s not.”

Others like Grosvenor Hotel lessee Richard Moody say customers are now spending less with the mining downturn.

WA Brewers Association executive officer Ross Lewis said the new brew pubs are simply following the trend in the US.

“There is more of a family atmosphere and the brew pubs are creating a community hub,” Lewis told news.com.au.

Leon Getler 31st May 2018.