Suburban Adelaide pubs face up to $40,000 cost to implement tough liquor law changes

DOZENS of suburban pubs would be forced to close early or pay thousands of dollars extra to implement new liquor laws.

The Sunday Mail has learned popular pubs from Gawler to Christies Beach would be hit as the true cost of the State Government’s draft changes to the Late Night Code is laid bare today.

The proposals include requiring all SA venues open after 2am to introduce plastic cups and employ “drinks marshals” to monitor patrons’ behaviour and alcohol consumption.

Some CBD venues, including those considered “upmarket” bars, would face even tougher rules — already in place at late-night clubs and pubs — such as installing metal detectors and CCTV. Industry officials warn the draft changes to the Late Night Code could tie up venues in red tape amid fears many will instead close before 2am to avoid the introducing the changes, which could cost up to $40,000 to implement.

Internal government forecasting, seen by the Sunday Mail, shows introducing plastic glassware alone would cost venues up to $10,000 — while installing CCTV and metal detectors would add $30,000. It is further understood that almost 37 CBD venues would be hit, including the Franklin Hotel, the Exeter on Rundle St and the Edinburgh Castle on Currie St, along with upmarket bars the Gallery on Waymouth and the newly renovated Electra House on King William St.

Among more than 40 suburban pubs understood to be ­affected are the Christies Beach Hotel, the Governor Hindmarsh, the Exchange Hotel at Gawler, the Arkaba at Fullarton, the Colonist Tavern at Norwood and the Golden Grove Tavern.

However, Deputy Premier John Rau, who is in charge of state licensing laws, yesterday pledged he would listen to and address industry concerns, but vowed to ensure our streets ­remained safe. The proposed changes, currently out for public consultation, followed a 12-month review of the Late Night Code, which was introduced in October 2013 with a notable 3am lockout.

Australian Hotels Association SA executive director Ian Horne, who praised Mr Rau’sconsultation with publicans, said suburban and city pubs were likely to shut no later than 2am to avoid being caught up in what he described as costly and burdensome regulations. He said the cost of buying plastic glassware for larger suburbs pubs could be particularly high.

“The glassware changeover is a massive cost and ... a massive practical impost switching over mid-service,” he said.

“(Suburban pubs) can’t only use polycarbonate glasses because they have restaurants and patrons won’t accept wine in plastic with their dinner.”

Mr Horne warned the proposed changes also had the ­potential to contradict the Government’s intentions to reduce drunken violence. He said if city pubs and bars all closed before 2am, people would be forced to go earlier to clubs and other late-night venues.

The liquor review, released last month, recommended bringing forward bans on drinking outside to midnight from 2am, and banning free drinks, shooters, “doubles” as well as serving drinks in glassware from midnight instead of 4am.

The Government ruled such restrictions were too severe and announced a compromise time of 2am. Currently only venues open after 3am are affected.

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