The Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority has granted the Imperial Hotel Erskineville a two week extension to lodge submissions in response to a long term closure order application by the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing.
The venue was ordered to shut for a second time from 7pm on Friday 24 July until 7pm on Monday 27 July. The venue was initially ordered to shutdown late last month for a 72 hour period following an approved application to the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority after a range of serious breaches detected at the venue in June during a targeted operation.
The second temporary closure followed inspections by OLGR and the NSW Police force over the past two weeks where ongoing drug dealing and illicit drug use, multiple intoxicated patrons and the serving of alcohol to intoxicated patrons was observed. The short term closure was ordered by the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority following an application by OLGR.
The Authority has granted an extension until 11 August 2015 following an application by the premises owner who has taken possession of the property from the lessees. The extension has been granted on agreement by the premises owner that the hotel’s liquor licence will be placed in voluntary suspension during that period.
On 17 July 2015, OLGR lodged a long term closure order application against the hotel under Section 84 of the Liquor Act 2007. If that succeeds, the hotel would be forced to close for up to six months while an OLGR disciplinary complaint is considered by the Authority, or until significant other trading restrictions are introduced.
The Authority will consider the long term closure order application within seven days of the end of the extended submission period.
The premises owner is also required to not-reopen the hotel without seven days’ notice to the Authority, OLGR and the NSW Police Force.