In what has become a sad pattern since the arrival of the lockout laws, yet another Sydneynightspot is set to close down.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Hugo’s Lounge in Kings Cross is set to close after suffering a 60 per cent decline in revenue, joiningthe growing list of venues that have suffered under the 1:30am lockouts introduced in February last year. The bar, nightclub and pizza restaurant was once a popular hangout, attracting an upmarket crowd for 15 years.
Owner Dave Evans blames the “anti-competitive” lockout laws that have been applied to the Cross, CBD and Oxford Street. Although alcohol-related violence in the Cross has dropped by 32 per cent, there has been a dramatic rise inalcohol-related assaults in Pyrmont and Newtown. Evans and other operators have called for the lockout laws to be applied everywhere or not at all.
Following the venue’s change to operating hours and cuts to 100 jobs, its remaining 70 staff were summoned to alunch meeting on Wednesday and told they would likely lose their jobs, SMH reports.
