A combination of three days of two-up plus free public transport have helped NSW hotels enjoy strong long weekend trading.
AHA NSW Director of Liquor and Policing John Green said the Government’s decision to allow ‘two-up’ to be played over three days, combined with the free public transport move made a real difference to hotels in the heart of the city.
“Allowing two-up over the entire three-day period helped hotels spread crowd numbers right across the long weekend, which in turn helped us with the chronic staff shortages,” Green said.
“The free public transport decision by Transport Minister David Elliott was a common-sense move which has had a real impact on bringing patrons back into the struggling CBD – we thank him, and the Government, for that decision.
“It’s also good to see venues right across NSW, not just in Sydney, reporting strong trade after an incredibly tough two years for hospitality.”
Green added that hospitality businesses were keen to see more people return to the CBD on weekdays.
“As we move into winter, if we want to re-vitalise business it’s important to keep the momentum of events in the CBD,” he said.
“We have “Whisk(e)y in the Rocks” this weekend, and then VIVID which should see good visitor numbers coming into the CBD in a traditionally quieter period.
“Pubs have been doing it tough for so long now – there’s never been a better time to support your local.”