Council tells popular Sydney pub to pack up outdoor area early
As the NSW government looks to put life back into Sydney’s nightlife, it seems some councils aren’t so keen.
Following a complaint by two neighbours, the Old Fitzroy Hotel in Woolloomooloo has been ordered to cease outdoor dining and drinking two hours earlier at 8pm.
Council inspectors also found beer kegs blocking the footpath.
The popular pub must pack up its outdoor chairs and send everyone inside before 8pm, a move that will be felt even more profoundly as daylight savings is set to bring more daylight hours.
The move by the council flies in the face of Premier Chris Minns’ aim to reduce red tape for hospitality venues and revive the nightlife.
“It’s pretty unbelievable,” James Thorpe, whose Odd Culture Group owns the ‘Old Fitz’, said of the decision.
“We accept that neighbourhood amenity is really important, but we have a perfect compliance history. That we’re having to close the most popular area of the pub just as dinner service is starting is not right when we’ve traded out there for 18 years until 10pm.”
Under the complex permit system, the establishment must regularly renew permits for both its footpath and roadway seating areas. Its latest application aimed to increase footpath space by five square metres.
However, council inspections uncovered several breaches of existing permit conditions. Kegs were found stored on the footpath, and outdoor tables on Dowling Street encroached on a pedestrian ramp, contrary to approved plans. As a result, the pub's outdoor closing time was reduced.
Local resident Belinda Olsen objected to the pub's application, citing overcrowding on weekends and impeded pedestrian access.
“There is way too much space given to them already, and I object to them receiving any more space,” she wrote. “They are not being accountable for the area now, and they need to respect residents and pedestrians. Not to mention the noise generated from that many people standing and sitting around outside (as they get louder as they get drunker).”
The second complainant included photos of patrons standing on the footpath, describing the area as a "public beer garden" rather than a dining space.
Last week, the government announced plans to relax Liquor Act restrictions, allowing patrons to consume alcohol while standing in outdoor areas.
However, while the City of Sydney says it supports al fresco dining and has approved over 700 businesses for footpath and roadway trading since the pandemic, it acknowledged that compliance challenges sometimes arise.
The council confirmed it is working with the pub owner, who is appealing the complaint. City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said she has asked staff to expedite the review process.
“I’m proud of the work we’ve done to support outdoor dining and cut red tape to make it easier for businesses to trade later,” Moore said. “It’s wonderful to see people out on the streets, connecting with each other and enjoying their neighbourhood while supporting local businesses.”
The battle has become a political football with Liberal lord mayoral candidate Lyndon Gannon saying: “Just because Clover is in bed by 8pm doesn’t mean the rest of Sydney has to be.”
Labor’s Zann Maxwell also attacked the current mayor. “Clover’s fun police are at it again. This is exactly the kind of thing council should be encouraging, not curtailing.”
Jonathan Jackson, 20th August 2024
