Town Hall bar problems

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33033, 28 September 1972, Page 1

Town Hall bar problems

A “farcical” situation had arisen over the selling of liquor at the Town Hall, the chairman of the Town Hall Committee (Cr H. G. Hay) said last evening.

Patrons of theatrical i performances in the James Hay Theatre' could be served in the] refreshment bars on the mezzanine floors. Patrons of the main auditorium could not buy liquor, no matter what type of function they were attending.

This was the decision of the Licensing Control Commission when it issued a theatre licence for the Town pall, Cr Hay said. The committee had written to the commission on September 13 drawing attention to what could only be regarded by the public as a farcial situation. No reply had been received so far, although the commission had been told that the opening would take place at the week-end. Cr Hay said he had seen the correspondence sent to the solicitors for the appli-

[leant for the licence, the /catering company of Town Hall Enterprises, Ltd, which ‘ said categorically that the refreshmen t bars were designed without sufficient , attention to the requirements ’ of the licensing laws. 1 “This is difficult to comi prehend because the com- ’ mittee specifically invited the chief inspector of licensed premises (Mr G. K. Mills) to see the complex as long ago , as September of last year,” Cr Hay said. “He did so w’ith the architects and made no adverse report on the location of the bars, although he did suggest some minor al- ‘ terations to other facilities, and his suggestions were adopted.” Now one refreshment bar will open for liquor sales when appropriate performances are held in the James Hay Theatre, and the other bar will sell soft drinks and confectionery: and if there are performances at the same time in both places, the auditorium audience will be breaking the law if they buy a drink. When only the auditorium was in use, such as for the inaugural concert next Saturday, no liquor will be available from any bar.