Jardine’s Cafe has applied for a liquor licence. Photo: Jardine’s Cafe/Facebook.
Two Wagga businesses are seeking permission to sell alcohol, while the new owners of Griffith Central shopping centre and the historic Griff Hotel have been given provisional approval to take over existing liquor licences.
In NSW, any business wanting to sell alcohol must first apply to Liquor & Gaming NSW. The regulator assesses whether applicants are suitable, considers factors such as community impact and compliance history, and – in theory – invites the public to have their say before making a decision (though applications aren’t widely publicised).
Existing licences can also be transferred when a business changes hands, but the transfer must be approved by the regulator.
Jadine’s Café on Baylis Street has applied for an on-premises licence, which would allow it to serve beer, wine and spirits to customers dining at the café.
The business has applied to trade under the licence from 10 am until midnight every day. If approved, it would mark the first time the café has been able to serve alcoholic drinks.
Meanwhile, Forest Hill brewery Bidgee Brew has applied for a limited licence to sell alcohol during the NRLW Magic Round at Geo Hex Stadium on 1 and 2 August.
Both applications are open for public submissions, with comments on Bidgee Brewing’s proposal closing on July 23 and Jadine’s application closing on July 24.
The regulator’s public register also shows it has provisionally approved the transfer of the packaged liquor licence previously attached to the Italian Fresh Merato (supermarket) at Griffith Central.
The now closed Italian Fresh Mercato was rumoured as a place Dan Murphy’s move into. Photo: Griffith Central Shopping Centre/Facebook.
The shopping centre was taken over by mortgagee-in-possession Gemi 69 Pty Ltd in May after a court ruling on disputed loans. Although the Italian supermarket closed two years ago, the licence remains attached to the site and can be transferred to the new owners.
The approval does not mean a new bottle shop is opening, but it preserves the ability for a future tenant to sell takeaway alcohol from the premises.
Speculation about the vacant site intensified earlier this year after The Australian reported Dan Murphy’s was poised to move into the mall. However, Region later confirmed no application had been lodged with the regulator for a Dan Murphy’s store and there is currently no pending application for a new packaged liquor outlet in Griffith.
The register also shows the transfer of the liquor licence for the Griff Hotel has been approved following the pub’s sale in April.
The landmark hotel was purchased by Golden Crown (Griffith) Pty Ltd, owned by Leeton-based Trent Middleton and his wife, Cuiping Zeng, ending a decade of ownership by Jim Knox who sold the venue as part of his gradual exit from the Riverina hotel industry. The licence transfer clears the way for the new owners to re-open the historic pub under its existing approval.
Online public submissions on liquor licences can be made on the Liquor and Gaming NSW website.
Original Article published by Oliver Jacques on Region Riverina.
