The Western Australian government has introduced changes to liquor laws which will give restaurants more freedom when it comes to serving alcohol to customers.
Small- to medium-sized restaurants with a capacity of 120 patrons or less will be able to serve customers alcohol without a meal from this weekend.
R&CA CEO Juliana Payne says the reforms will benefit the businesses themselves as well as the state’s tourism and hospitality industries.
“We are delighted the WA Government has chosen to recognise the inherently low-risk nature of restaurants in allowing customers the ability to order alcohol without a meal,” says Payne.
The R&CA CEO also urged the WA Government to consider expanding this provision to larger restaurants with a capacity exceeding 120 patrons, provided the provision of meals remains the core focus of the business.
“Whilst the government’s latest liquor licensing changes are no doubt a positive step in freeing up restaurants from the burden of red tape, it is important that larger restaurants do not miss out on this just because of their ability to serve more people in the one setting,” says Payne.
“We urge the WA Government to go one step further with these reforms and give all restaurants —regardless of their capacity — the ability to serve liquor to customers without the need for an accompanying meal.”
Image credit: So Perth
