Nightlife boost for Sydney CBD as licence freeze lifted on pubs and nightclubs
The freeze on new liquor licences for pubs, clubs and bottle shops in Sydney's CBD and Kings Cross has been lifted by the NSW Government as it looks to boost the city’s night-time economy following an easing of Covid-19 restrictions.
Due to take effect on December 1, venues in Kings Cross and some parts of the CBD will be able to apply to open without having to purchase a liquor licence from an existing venue.
The freeze had been in place since 2014, when lockout laws were extended across the whole CBD.
The announcement follows the Berejiklian government scrapping a prohibition on altering licence conditions at the start of this month. Venues in those precincts can now apply to extend their trading hours or expand their premises.
"These changes will kick-start a new era in Sydney’s 24-hour economy, giving new venues a start, and allowing existing pubs, clubs, hotels and bottle shops a chance to adjust their offerings to meet changing customer demand," Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said.
"In some CBD locations, this will be the first time in 11 years that applications for new venues will be considered."
Sheridan Randall, 17th June 2020
