The Liquor Stores Association of Western Australia (LSA WA) has announced that a new face will be joining its board.
Vikrant Sharma, owner of Cellarbrations in East Perth, has been co-opted to the board, replacing outgoing life member Laurie ‘The Larrikin’ Hurley.
After emigrating to Australia from India to study accounting, Sharma bought his store in 2014, while working as a management accountant for an oil and gas producer. He said he is looking forward to being part of LSA WA’s focus on standing up for independent liquor retailers.
“When I first entered the industry the LSA helped point me in the right direction,” Sharma said.
“I see my role in the LSA as an opportunity to educate every small independent liquor store owner that as a collective, no one can break us.Individually, we can’t compete with companies like Woolworths and Coles, but together through the LSA we can achieve so much.”
LSA WA Chair Lou Spagnolo welcomed Sharma to the fold and said: “Vik has a lot to offer, he’s part of the Cellarbrations banner group and his accounting experience is beneficial to the organisation”.
“His co-option to the board reflects the changing landscape of the industry and he brings with him energy and enthusiasm.”
Spagnolo also paid tribute to Hurley, who has been a legendary icon in the WA liquor industry for decades and finishes his tenure at LSA WA after recently selling his store in Ascot.
“Laurie has been part of the fabric of the LSA for more than 30 years and we all know him as a loveable larrikin. He will still be around the traps and we all look forward to seeing him at our awards night on October 15,” Spagnolo said.
Nominations for board positions will be called later in the year ahead of the Annual General Meeting (date still to be confirmed).