Celebrity chef Luke Mangan calls out Sydney elite for opposing restaurant trial
Luke Mangan has thrown his weight behind Sydney city’s plans to become a 24/7 entertainment hub.
The celebrity chef also hit out at Sydney's elite for objecting to The Squire's Landing bid to trial opening its doors around the clock.
The Squire's Landing is a waterfront restaurant in Circular Quay with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House and would attract locals and tourists alike.
The venue argued that a successful pilot would support the renewed effort to boost Sydney’s night-time economy and "enhance the vibrancy" of the area.
However, wealthy residents from the nearby "The Toaster" apartment building, situated across the water near the Opera House, have raised concerns. At least 20 owners claim that noise, including music from the restaurant, will carry across the water and disrupt their sleep.
Mangan told Sunrise he was "surprised" to read about the complaints in The Daily Telegraph, before responding to residents opposed to the initiative.
"I think if you live in the city, you choose to live in the city ... perhaps you choose that there will be a little bit, or understand there will be some sort of noise level," he said.
"I say to people in The Toaster perhaps move down to the south coast if you want to have a farm."
Mangan, who owns several restaurants across Sydney, is a strong advocate for transforming the city into a 24-hour entertainment hub for both locals and international visitors.
Last week, it was revealed that there is a renewed push for parts of the CBD to operate around the clock, following a decline in nightlife after the introduction of controversial lockout laws and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Business Sydney data forecasts a potential $1 billion boost to the New South Wales economy and the creation of at least 7,000 new jobs.
"I have been working with Business Sydney, and we believe we can add an extra billion dollars to that line to get the nighttime economy up and running," Mangan said.
"It doesn't mean loud noise everywhere throughout the city, it just means getting people out. As you said, we can employ another 7,000 people back into the hospitality, tourism industry and Sydney needs to get on top of things again."
Mangan emphasised that the initiative would attract more visitors from across Australia and abroad and noted that while tourists enjoy Sydney’s highlights during the day, by nightfall, the CBD streets can feel deserted as early as 10pm.
"This is a real problem. I think what people expect when they travel to this amazing city, and people who get off cruise ships as well, they want to be able to go to wine bars, music venues after 12(am) and keep this city pumping," the chef added.
The City of Sydney unveiled plans last week that would permit clubs, bars, and even cafes and retail shops to operate 24 hours a day, with an option for pubs and restaurants to extend their hours. The 24-hour trading zone would encompass much of Sydney’s CBD, spanning from Circular Quay to Central Station and from Darling Harbour to Hyde Park.
Jonathan Jackson, 30th October 2024
