Bar’s 2am bid sparks fears

Midnight is late enough for bar patrons, says City of Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington, as a popular Stirling Terrace bar considers applying for a 2am extension to its liquor licence.

Six Degrees recently launched a petition gauging support for an application to allow it to trade until 2am, with its current licence requiring it to close at midnight.

Mr Wellington said he was concerned about community safety if any bar was able to stay open until 2am.

“I have reservations on going to 2am but it would depend on advice from police,” he said. “I don’t think you can guarantee the safety of anyone once you get alcohol in them.

“They might be able to guarantee no incidents at the bar, but they can’t guarantee no incidents on the way home or outside (the venue).

“I think 12am is late enough.”

More than 100 people have commented on last week’s Albany Advertiser story, with overwhelming support for a 2am liquor licence.

Although an application is yet to be made to the Liquor Commission, when speaking to the Advertiser,Six Degrees co-owner Anton Davey said security was taken very seriously. “We won’t get an extended licence unless we can prove we can be a safe establishment,” he said.

“We are going to add something to community and that means keeping safe.”

Palmerston Albany manager Ben Headlam also raised concerns about the increase of alcohol consumption.

“Increased liquor availability, extended hours and outlet density can have a direct influence on harms to the community. In particular, increasing trading hours tends to result in higher rates of harm,” he said.

“At this stage of the process, Palmerston urges the community to consider the impact and these harms that extended trading hours for Six Degrees, a venue in close proximity to other late-trading venues could have.

“If a decision is made that Six Degrees are granted extended trading hours, we would advocate for the highest standards of responsible service of alcohol and the most stringent monitoring of standards.”

A Great Southern police spokeswoman said any application for extended trading was a matter between the venue and the Director of Liquor Licensing.