Clyde Mooney – Australian Hotelier
A Victorian proposal to relax the regulatory requirements for holding underage live music events in the state's licensed venues has been welcomed by the operator of one of Melbourne's top live music venues.
Andrew Mansfield, who runs Northcote Social Club in Melbourne and its new Sydney outpost, Newtown Social Club, told TheShout that in appropriate circumstances, cutting red tape on underage gigs would be a positive move for the music and hospitality industries.
"The intention is to not have minors interacting with adults consuming or under the influence of alcohol," he said.
Mansfield pointed out that underage gigs are not suitable for all types and sizes of pubs, but said they may provide another revenue stream to events where alcohol is served, "where logistics dictate the venue has the capacity to support both activities separately".
Submissions on the consultation paper are due by 5pm on June 18.