Staff at the popular CBD bars Ivy and Establishment could be scouting for scores of plastic cups, after an unsuccessful legal bid to be exempted from new restrictions on serving alcohol. Justin Hemmes’s George Street hotels have been listed as level-two venues under regulations that come into force at midnight.
The regulations are aimed at lowering the amount of alcohol related violence and require level-two venues to start using plastic cups after midnight. With 12 to 18 reported assaults each year, the plastic cups and stopping serving alcohol 30 minutes before closing, hopes are that the violence will decrease making a safer environment for all.
Establishments are worried that they will not be able to accumulate enough plastic drinkware to comply with the ruling before D-Day on December 1, 2009.
Lawyers for Hemmes are currently appealing the case arguing whether or not some of the disputes should have been attributed to the venues. The need for the venues to utilize plastic cups is currentl being appealed.
Justice Clifton Hoeben had replied: “It would be foolish not to be planning for the worst.”
When the case returned to court today, Justice Hoeben indicated he would dismiss the summons. He will hand down his reasons tomorrow.
Lawyers for Hemmes Trading may seek a stay on the decision pending an appeal. Comment is being sought from Mr Hemmes.
Justin Hemmes