By James Atkinson
A liquor regulator has hit six late trading pubs with permanent licence conditions requiring restricted service of alcohol and 1am lockouts on weekends.
The Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority of NSW in August 2010 imposed temporary conditions on Newcastle pubs the Northern Star Hotel, Gateway Hotel, Hamilton Station Hotel, Kent Hotel, Exchange Hotel and Sydney Junction Hotel, following disturbance complaints from police.
The authority last week determined it would permanently impose some of the conditions on all six venues, which are located in the Hamilton entertainment precinct, as requested by police.
The conditions include a requirement for all licensees to retain a staff member on Friday and Saturday evenings from 11pm whose sole function is to supervise and monitor responsible service of alcohol practices at the bar.
The venues are restricted from serving shots or high percentage alcohol drinks after 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and lockouts have been imposed after 1am on weekends.
The pubs also face conditions relating to stockpiling of drinks, pre-closure procedures, rubbish collection and dispersal of patrons.