Party Moves But Industry Asks Where
Newcastle Herald
Tuesday April 8, 2008
WHERE are the revellers going to party?
The hotel industry and police are at a loss to explain why the significant downturn in numbers across the Newcastle central business district following the introduction of a curfew and lockout has failed to cause similar upturns in areas which had traditionally lost party-goers to the city.Maitland publicans yesterday rejected claims of increased patronage in the three weeks since revellers were told they had to be inside a venue at Newcastle by 1am.Police also dismissed reports "dozens" of revellers had been arrested during an alcohol-fuelled rampage through Maitland early on Sunday.The Australian Hotels Association reported yesterday a predicted increase in patron numbers at Hamilton's late-trading establishments, which are not part of the curfew conditions imposed by the Liquor Administration Board, failed to eventuate.Traditionally, party-goers from the Lower Hunter and Central Coast had helped swell numbers hitting the Newcastle inner city after midnight. And although those traders are claiming massive losses since the implementation of the curfew and lockout, the AHA reports the revellers are failing to go anywhere else. Dan Proudman
© 2008 Newcastle Herald
